#UWWLIVE

UWW LIVE: Helen Maroulis (USA), Rio Olympic Champion

By United World Wrestling Press

In 2016, Helen MAROULIS (USA) became the first American woman to claim an Olympic gold medal in wrestling by defeating three-time Olympic champion Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Maroulis has also won two world titles along with world silver and bronze medals. She returned to competition in 2020 and now has her sights set on the Tokyo Olympics.

Maroulis joined Eric Olanowski to talk about her history-making Olympic gold medal run in Rio and her quest at becoming the third woman to claim two Olympic gold medals. She also gave her thoughts on America's chances at dethroning the Japanese women at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
 

#USAWrestling

Paris Olympic champ Hildebrandt announces retirement

By Vinay Siwach

COLRADO, United States (February 17) -- Olympic champion Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) has announced her retirement from wrestling.

The 31-year-old won gold in Women's Wrestling 50kg at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is also a bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics. At the World Championships, Hildebrandt won two silver (2018, 2021) and two bronze medals (2022, 2023).

Her decision was accompanied with an announcement from USA Wrestling that Hildebrandt will be joining as the assistant coach for Women's Wrestling with senior women's team.

“I have had a really long career and I’ve gotten the experience of what wrestling has taught me," Hildebrandt said. "It has made me so passionate about what this sport can do for people. If I can bring a passion and energy in support of their journey, kind of a door handle to open up their own adventure, that is exciting to me. Wrestling has given me so much. The sport has taught me everything about myself and helped me grow as a woman."

Hildebrandt made her debut at the U20 World Championships in 2010 at 55kg and remained a 53-55kg wrestler for long. At the 2019 World Championships, Hildebrandt failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics at 53kg and made the move to 50kg and qualified.

She went on to have one of most successful careers at 50kg, becoming the fourth Olympic champion for the United States in Women's Wrestling. She is only the second wrestler to win multiple medals at the Olympics for the U.S. after Helen MAROULIS (USA), who has three.

More to follow