Cuban flag bearer looks for third Olympic wrestling title in Rio

Cuban wrestler and two-time Olympic champion, Mijain Lopez, is looking to claim a third title in a row at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics to become the first ever Latin American athlete in his sport to achieve such a feat.

Lopez, 33, who will also be Cuba's flag bearer for the third straight Olympics, seems confident about winning his world title and is "proud" to carry the flag at Friday's inaugural ceremony.

"It would be very special to do it for a third time and I feel very proud because I know I am a role model for all Cuban athletes to follow," Lopez told Xinhua on Thursday, just hours before departing for Brazil.

He also expressed the trust and confidence the island's sports authority have placed in him.

"Despite economic difficulties in the country, all Olympic athletes in Cuba have the opportunity to compete abroad, participate in training camps and develop our skills to reach the dream of winning a gold medal in Rio," added the wrestler.

With that objective, Lopez will face the competition in Rio de Janeiro in the 130-kilogram division.

"The goal is to achieve my third and last Olympic title, an accomplishment that I know the Cuban people are waiting for. Our training this year has been great and I am prepared to bring home the gold," he added.

Lopez said his main rivals in Brazil should be Ukraine's Aleksander Chernestki and Turkey's Riza Kayaalp, who he defeated four years ago in London for the Olympic title.

Just like Lopez, the other 119 athletes of the Cuban delegation will make their best efforts to place the Caribbean nation in the top 20 of the competition and stand out as the best Latin American nation in the medal ranking.

A total of 81 men and 31 women will compete for Cuba in 18 sports to surpass the results obtained in London 2012.

Four years ago, Cuba left London with a total of 15 medals (5 gold, 3 silver, and 7 bronze), and finished 16th among 204 delegations. Endit