When it comes to Greco-Roman success, no nation has been more dominant than Russia. Things changed in 2016 when Cuba grabbed the unofficial team title at the Rio Olympic Games winning two gold medals and a silver. Since then, there has been no looking back. But what makes Cuban wrestling so great? Mijain Lopez, three-time Olympic champion says that it is the ‘Cuban struggle’ that makes it special.
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“Cubans are people who are very determined. They know what they want in life and they fight for it. Cuban wrestlers have sacrificed even more. Wrestling characterises the Cuban culture. Every second our family and friends spend in front of the TV together, they are cheering for their champions and it is that blood which makes us better,” the 130 kg division wrestler told United World Wrestling (UWW).
Cuba wrestling at the Olympics:
Cuba won its first Olympic medal at 1992 Barcelona Olympics after Hector Milian won gold in 100kg Greco-Roman weight class. In total, it has won 24 medals including nine gold, six silver and nine bronze medals.
However, their greatest gift to Olympic wrestling is Mijain Lopez. Lopez is one of the greatest Greco wrestlers of all times. The heavyweight wrestler has won three Olympic gold medals and has set eye for the fourth at Tokyo Games. If he manages to do so, he will surpass Russia’s Aleksandr Karelin and become the first wrestler to win four Olympic golds. Besides this he also has five world championships in his already glorious kitty.
Mission Tokyo Olympics:
Cuba is the only nation to have secured all the places in the Greco-Roman category. Moreover, it is the only country to have secured more than 10 quotas after the USA. In Men’s freestyle, it has confirmed berth in 65kg, 74kg and 97kg. While in Women’s division it has secured places in 50kg, 53kg and 68kg.
Cuba will once again eyeing to retain the team’s title at the Tokyo Games when it arrives in Japan next year in July.