Mijaín López and Yasmani Acosta: A final between two friends and brothers in Greco-Roman wrestling
Yasmani Acosta was born in Cuba, but has represented Chile since 2017.
The reason?
Mijain Lopez.
“I wasn’t going to the Olympics because they only send one wrestler per country and category and in Cuba there is Mijaín. He is the best in the world. In Cuba, I was always behind him. I trained with him every day for nine years. I really appreciate him. But you have to understand the circumstances: I cried watching the Olympics because I saw many athletes that I had beaten. I left Cuba to fulfill my dream. I love Cuba,” explains Yasmani Acosta.
Already representing Chile, he managed to go to the Olympic Games. He made his debut in Tokyo 2020, where he lost in the bronze medal match. In Paris 2024 he reached the gold medal final against his friend… or brother, rather, according to Mijaín López.
“We have always been brothers, we have always been friends in wrestling: it will be great for him to win an Olympic medal and for me too. He deserves a medal. Chile asked him to win the medal and they have given him support and the opportunity to compete,” said the Greco-Roman wrestling legend.
“We go to different countries, but we have the same blood. This is the consecration of the training we had together. It will be something nice,” Mijaín López remarked. The Third before the final.
“He is my idol in sport. I know his story, I know what he has been through and the effort behind his achievements. He is my friend, my brother and it will be a great final,” Acosta said.
And it was a beautiful final, with a prize for both ‘brothers’.
