Clinching a 4-1 victory over Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu, Tamyra Mensah Stock secures the second women’s Wrestling gold in U.S. history. As a result, Mensah Stock joins Helen Maroulis, who took gold in 2016, on the top podium of American Olympic wrestlers.
Tamyra Mensah Stock Wins Olympic Gold in Women’s Freestyle Wrestling
Mensah Stock came into the 68 kg finals as the number 1 seed and was matched with Nigeria’s number 2 seed, Oborududu. The two met with a determination to be the victor in a hard-fought battle.
Although Mensah Stock secured an early 2-0 lead with a spin-behind takedown, Oborududu closed the gap, 2-1, with a reversal. At the break, Mensah Stock performed a successful leg attack takedown for a first period lead of 4-1.
Even though both athletes met the second round aggressively, there were no points tallied. Try as she might, Oborududu was unable to perform any successful takedowns on Mensah Stock, who held onto her lead. And so, with time ticking down the spirit in the arena became celebratory as the knowing crowd began to chant “USA … USA.”
Accordingly, as the final horn blew, an elated and emotional Tamyra Mensah Stock stood tall—an Olympic champion.
“I knew I could do it,” she told a Team USA report. “I knew it would be hard. I prayed I could do it. In my wildest dreams I knew.”
A True Olympic Champion
In an interview following the match, Mensah Stock gave credit where it was due.
“It’s by the grace of God that I’m able to even move my feet,” she told a network reporter after taking the gold. “I just leave it in his hands, and I pray that all the practice, all the hell my freaking coaches put me through, pays off, and every single time it does. And I get better and better. And it’s so weird that there is no cap to the limit that I can do. And I’m excited to see what I have next.”
In true Olympic fashion Mensah Stock raised her hands in the shape of a heart, thus demonstrating love for her country. The gesture sends a message to her fellow countrymen, who are also proud of her performance and representation of the USA.
“It feels amazing,” she said to a reporter following the match. “I love representing the U.S. I freaking love living there, I love it, and I’m so happy I get to represent U-S-A.”
A Well-Earned Spot
Her impressive performance leading up to the finals proves Tamyra Mensah Stock was not there by chance.
According to Team USA Wrestling, “Mensah Stock was dominant on Monday to qualify for tonight’s finals. In the morning session, she scored a pair of 10-0 technical falls over high-level opponents. In the first round, she dismantled 2016 Olympic champion Sara Dosho of Japan. In the quarterfinals, Mensah Stock had five takedowns beating two-time World medalist Feng Zhou of China. In the evening session semifinals, she stopped 2018 World champion Alla Cherkasova of Ukraine, 10-4.”
Mensah Stock joins fellow teammate Adeline Gray—who was able to secure the silver at 76 kg—on the podium.
Congratulations Tamyra Mensah Stock and Team USA for your win and historic second gold for Team USA in Women’s Wrestling.
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