Tamyra Mensah stickThe historic moment at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was not lost for her or the wrestling community.
On Tuesday, August 3, the 28-year-old American athlete became the first black woman in Olympic wrestling history to win gold when she defeated Nigeria Blessings oborududu in the women’s 68-pound freestyle wrestling final, NBC News reported. She was also only the second American to accomplish the feat, after Helen Maroulis” Gold at the 2016 Rio Games.
“These young women will see each other in different ways and they will look up there and go, I can,” Tamyra told reporters after their event, according to the Associated Press. “I can see myself.”
The Houston native also told the press about the win, “It feels great. I love representing the US, I love living there, and I’m so happy to represent the US!”
Among those who sent in support after their big win was the UFC President Dana White, who tweeted, “Congratulations Tamyra Stock on being the first black woman to win a gold medal in wrestling. I love your energy, I love your positive attitude and we couldn’t have a better representative of our country. “
