When Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock won, she wished her success would inspire other Black girls in the United States to try wrestling.
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Tamyra Mensah Stock Black Lives Matter
On Tuesday, she became the first African-American woman and the second American woman.
To win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling when she defeated Blessing Oborududu of Nigeria, 4-1, in the women’s 68-kilogram freestyle final.
The young women “are going to see themselves in a number of ways and they are going to look up there and go, I can do that,” she said. It’s like a mirror has been placed in front of my face.
When Helen Maroulis defeated Saori Yoshida of Japan in the 53-kilogram finals at the 2016 Olympics, she made history as the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.
Wrestlers of African descent have achieved notable success in the United States.
Toccara Montgomery took home gold from the 2003 Pan-Am Games, Iris Smith won a world championship in 2005, and Randi Miller placed third at the 2008 Olympics.
Tamyra Mensah-Stock First Black Woman to Win Olympic Wrestling Gold
When Tamyra Mensah-Stock won the gold medal in wrestling at the Olympic Games, she made history as the first Black woman to do so.
On Tuesday, American Tamyra Mensah-Stock became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in women’s freestyle 68 kilogrammes by defeating Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu 4-1 in the finals.
The 28-year-old Texan, who is only the second American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling, was quoted as saying, “Look at us representing,” by the New York Times.
“if one of us wins, we’re making history,” Mensah-Stock said.
It’s amazing. It was very significant. I couldn’t be happier for Blessing. As I observed her, I thought, “Damn, she’s killing it.” I can put an end to it, too,” she added.
Mensah-Stock also shared her excitement at being a part of Team USA with the press. She gushed, “I love representing the U.S. I can’t express enough how much I enjoy life in that area.
Who is Tamyra Mariama Mensah-Stock
Female American freestyle wrestler Tamyra Mariama Mensah-Stock was born on October 11, 1992 (née Mensah).
She made history on August 3, 2021, when she became the first African-American woman to win a gold medal in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics.
Although Tamyra spent her formative years in the Houston area’s suburbs, she was born in the Windy City.
Her mother was from Illinois and her father was a Ghanaian who had spent his entire life in Ghana up until he was 30.
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While Tamyra chose to participate in track and field, her twin sister Tarkyia joined the wrestling team their freshman year at Morton Ranch High School in Katy, Texas.
She was persuaded to attend a wrestling practise by her sister and coach, Mark Balser, and so she made the decision to join the team as a sophomore.
Her father was on his way home from one of her high school wrestling matches when he was killed in a car accident.
She felt wrestling was to blame for her dad’s untimely passing. She thought of him as her number one fan.
