Two of the greatest wrestlers in the history of Greco-Roman style: the Cuban Mijaín López and the Russian Alexander Karelin, met in the city of Novosibirsk in Siberia during a tournament that the Caribbean athlete attended at the invitation of the local former gladiator.
López, known as the "Giant of Herradura," achieved just a few days ago his fifth Olympic crown in Paris 2024, becoming the only athlete to win five titles in the same individual event.
The Antillean, who officially announced his retirement after the final fight against his Chilean naturalized compatriot Yasmani Acosta, also won five world championships and several Pan American and Central American tournaments.
For his part, Karelin, nicknamed the "Siberian Bear," also has an impressive career that includes three Olympic gold medals, one silver, nine world titles, and twelve European titles.
His thirteen-year unbeaten streak and the only loss in the final of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games against American Rulon Gardner underscore his status as a sports legend.
Just imagine that between these two representatives of wrestling, they have a total of eight gold medals and one silver under the five. Unbelievable.
On the social media platform X, the page dedicated to Cuban sports highlighted the meeting of these two giants during the Aksenov tournament, in addition to recalling the achievements of the colossi.
Despite the constant comparisons by specialists and followers, both maintain an excellent relationship as they have shown on different occasions.
What do you think?
COMMENTFiled under: