PARIS (Gray News) – American Sarah Hildebrandt won gold in the women’s freestyle final in the 50-kilogram weight class, joining her teammate Amit Elor on the winners list at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Hildebrandt won 3-0 against Cuban Yusneylis Guzman Lopez on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old managed a 2-point takedown in the first period and was awarded another point when Guzman Lopez was penalized after an activity period had expired.
“We athletes, and especially wrestlers, take this so seriously. And sometimes it can be terrible, it’s a tough sport,” Hildebrandt said in an interview after her victory. “I love this sport, it’s so much fun. I’m going to enjoy every second of it. I’m going to smile as much as I can.”
Her opponent in the final was originally India’s Vinesh Phogat, but Phogat was disqualified for failing to make weight on Wednesday morning. She has since lodged an appeal.
Hildebrandt beat Otgonjargal Dolgorjav of Mongolia 5-0 to secure her place in the final. She also defeated China’s Ziqi Feng 7-4 and Algeria’s Ibtissem Doudou 10-0.
This is Hildebrandt’s second Olympic podium appearance. She won bronze in her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics.
Hildebrandt is the fourth woman to win Olympic gold in wrestling for the U.S. team.
She joins fellow wrestler Elor, who won gold in the 68 kg class on Tuesday and is now the youngest U.S. wrestler to win gold.
“It has to come from here first, not from anyone else,” Hildebrandt said of the will to win. “Amit is a great example of that. She is younger than me, but inspires me in every way.”
Helen Maroulis won gold at the Rio Olympics and Tamyra Mensah Stock also won gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
Maroulis has the chance to become the first American woman to win two gold medals in freestyle wrestling. On Thursday she will compete in the 57 kg weight class.
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