David Taylor Wins Gold, Helen Maroulis And Thomas Gilman Bronze On Big Day For U.S. Wrestlers

Helen Maroulis competes at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 on Aug. 5, 2021 in Tokyo.

 

Maroulis made history five years ago in Rio by becoming the first U.S. woman to ever win wrestling gold at the Olympic Games, but this bronze medal may be even more meaningful.

The 29-year-old from Rockville, Maryland, battled through a series of injuries in recent years, including two concussions and a neck injury that left her with noise and light sensitivity, fatigue and anxiety stemming from post-traumatic stress disorder. She even retired from the sport for a short time. 

On Wednesday, she lost a close semifinal match, 2-1, at 57 kg. to Japan’s Risako Kawai, the 2016 Olympic champion at 62 kg. Maroulis won her Olympic title at 53 kg. On Thursday, she faced 20-year-old Khongorzul Boldsaikhan of Mongolia for the bronze. Between Maroulis’ experience and a 2-on-1 offensive move for which Boldsaikhan had no answer, the match was over just before time ran out. Maroulis took a 4-0 lead into the break and with just over a minute and a half remaining in the match was up 9-0, a point away from a win via technical superiority. She appeared to get it with 38 seconds left but Mongolia won a challenge to continue the match. It was only by seconds, though, and Maroulis finished things off shortly after.