On August 7, 2024, Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA won the gold medal in the women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling at the Paris Olympic Games. Hildebrandt defeated Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, securing the top spot with an early lead that she maintained throughout the match.
Following her victory, Hildebrandt looked at the crowd and exclaimed, “I just won the Olympics!” This win is particularly meaningful for Hildebrandt, who had finished with a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after a narrow semifinal loss. This gold medal at Paris 2024 represents the culmination of years of hard work since that setback.
Hildebrandt’s gold is the second for American women wrestlers at Paris 2024, following Amit Elor’s victory in the 68kg category on August 6.
Hildebrandt praised the progress in women’s wrestling, saying, “It just speaks volumes to these women, our coaches, and the people around us, and their investment in women’s sports. You can see it in somebody like Amit Elor, who’s so young, talented, and confident. The environment is growing, and the belief is building.”
In the bronze medal matches, Susaki Yui of Japan defeated Oksana Livach of Ukraine with a score of 10-0 in bronze medal match A. Feng Ziqi of the People’s Republic of China won bronze medal match B, beating Otgonjargal Dolgorjav of Mongolia 6-0.
Vinesh Phogat from India was initially set to compete in the gold-medal match but failed to make weight, allowing Guzman Lopez to step in.
Women’s Freestyle Wrestling Final Standings:
Gold: Sarah Hildebrandt (USA)
Silver: Yusneylis Guzman Lopez (Cuba)
Bronze: Susaki Yui (Japan)
Bronze: Feng Ziqi (People’s Republic of China)
