The American men’s wrestling team triumphed at the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade for the second year in a row. Coach Bill Zadick hoped for the same level of success from the women’s team, and they did not disappoint. The wrestlers added four more medals on Wednesday and even qualified for three weight classes for the upcoming Olympics. Among these phenomenal athletes was one wrestling pro who further extended her legacy.

Helen Maroulis is a name synonymous with wrestling excellence. She etched her name in the history books in 2016 by becoming the first American woman to win the Olympic wrestling gold. The 32-year-old athlete has once again set her sights on another Olympic gold, and her recent performance in the Serbian capital took her one step closer to that lofty goal.

Helen Maroulis’ 2023 World Championships triumph

Veteran wrestler Helen Maroulis was one of the four women from the United States to earn a medal yesterday. Maroulis earned the bronze in the 57 kg and got a direct ticket to the Olympic Trials finals. A Twitter user, Justin Basch, commemorated her victory in a celebratory post that read, “What a legend.🐐🇺🇸 @helen_maroulis beats Poland’s Lysak 10-6 in the World Bronze Medal match at 57kg as she picks up another World Bronze; this is @helen_maroulis’s 9th World/Olympic Medal!” 

Her opponent gave the three-time wrestling world champion staunch competition and even delivered a strategic blow with just 40 seconds left on the clock. However, all effort from the Polish athlete turned to naught when the American ace unveiled a powerful move.

Helen Maroulis scored a late touchdown, earning herself three more points to seal the victory. It seemed as if she was biding her time before making the move. It was a successful strategy because it did not give Lysak an opportunity to counterattack. Helen Maroulis was not the only American wrestler to extend her medal count on Wednesday, as there was another legend who was on a similar trajectory.

Adeline Gray surpasses Helen Maroulis

Adeline Gray defeated Cuba’s Milaimys Marin Potrille with a similar takedown move in the final seconds of the match. She has earned six gold medals and three more bronzes in the world championships. Her Olympic silver medal brings her total World and Olympic medal count to 10, which is one more than Maroulis. Both women delivered their remarkable performances just months after making a comeback to the wrestling world.

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Gray had just given birth to twins and was still recovering from an ab separation when she took the mat in Belgrade. Considering the state of her health, she was happy with her performance and said, “I know I didn’t stand on that gold-medal spot, but I still accomplished my goals, putting myself in the finals of Olympic Trials”.

Along the same lines, Maroulis overcame a personal difficulty of her own that had her committed to a psych ward. Her mental health problems prevented Helen Maroulis from taking part in the Tokyo Games. Now, she is once again poised to take the wrestling world by storm and shine in Olympic glory.

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