American Wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock Just Made History at the Olympics

It’s time to launch the confetti cannons, because Tamyra Mensah-Stock just made history at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 28-year-old athlete recently became the first Black female to win a gold medal in wrestling at the Olympics. Mensah-Stock is following in the footsteps of Helen Maroulis (who won gold in Rio), making her the second American woman to place first.

Mensah-Stock competed in the 68-kilogram freestyle wrestling final, where she claimed first place over Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu (more on this later). After the event, Mensah-Stock told reporters that she hopes her accomplishments will inspire the next generation of female wresters.

“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,’” she said, according to Associated Press.

She continued, “It feels amazing. I love representing the U.S. I freaking love living there, and I’m so happy I get to represent USA!”

Fans and fellow athletes immediately sent congratulatory remarks to Mensah-Stock. American wrestler Jordan Burroughs (who won gold in London) celebrated on Twitter, writing, “She’s done it! Olympic Gold Medalist! Congratulations @MensahTamStock Welcome to the club!”

UFC President Dana White also gave her a Twitter shout-out: “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.”

Oh, and how could we forget about the silver medalist? Oborududu also made history as the first Nigerian athlete to win an Olympic medal in wrestling. “I switched off my phone, so I was not in any kind of pressure,” she said. “I know that I’ve created the record for my country.”

What an accomplishment.

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