Tokyo Olympics – Tamyra Mensah-Stock Is The 1st Black Woman To Win A Gold Medal In Wrestling

Tokyo Olympics – Tamyra Mensah-Stock Is The 1st Black Woman To Win A Gold Medal In Wrestling

Tamyra Mensah-Stock has broken a barrier at the Tokyo Olympics!

Yesterday (Tuesday, August 3rd), Houston native Tamyra Mensah-Stock became the first Black woman to win Olympic gold in wrestling. She made the accomplishment after defeating Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu in the 68-kilogram freestyle wrestling event. After her barrier-breaking win, Tamyra Mensah-Stock told reporters:

“These young women are going to see themselves in a number of ways and they’re going to look up there and go, I can do that. I can see myself.”

A video showing her acknowledging her win also began circulating. The athlete said:

“[Representing my country] feels amazing. I love representing the U.S. I freaking love living there, and I’m so happy I get to represent USA!”

Notably, UFC president Dana White shared the aforementioned video and congratulated Tamyra Mensah-Stock on her win. He tweeted:

“Congratulations Tamyra Stock for being the first black woman to win a wresting gold medal. I love your energy, I love your positivity, and we couldn’t have a better representative of our country.”

Congratulations Tamyra Stock for being the first black woman to win a wrestling gold medal. I love your energy, I love your positivity, and we couldn’t have a better representative of our country. pic.twitter.com/NE2S2tpBe0

— danawhite (@danawhite) August 3, 2021

Additionally, Jordan Burroughs–who won gold in wrestling at the 2012 London Olympics–congratulated her as well, tweeting:

“She’s done it! Olympic Gold Medalist! Congratulations @MensahTamStock. Welcome to the club!”

It is also worth noting that–on top of being the first Black woman to win Olympic gold in wrestling–Tamyra Mensah-Stock is the second American woman to do so after Helen Maroulis won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Congratulations to Tamyra Mensah-Stock!