Gold Medal Wrestler Declares, “I Love Representing The US!” In Post-Match Interview

NBC Sports / YouTube

Tamyra Mensah-Stock made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this week. She defeated Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu in the women’s 68-kilogram freestyle final, making her the second American woman to win a gold medal in wrestling for the United States. And she is the first black woman to do so.

Her opponent, Oborududu, who earned the silver medal, made history as the first Nigerian athlete to win an Olympic medal in wrestling.

“I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at us representing,’ ” Mensah-Stock said, The Associated Press reports. “It’s so freaking awesome. You’re making history, I’m making history. We’re making history. So it meant a lot.”

In a post-match interview, she was candid and said she knew she would win a gold medal in her lifetime, but she did surprise herself in this tournament.

“I surprised myself! It’s by the grace of God I’m able even to move my feet,” Mensah-Stock said. “I just leave it in his hands. And I pray that all the practice, the hell that my freaking coaches put me through, pays off. And every single time it does. And I get better and better. And it’s so weird that there’s no cap to the limit I can do. And I’m excited to see what I have next.”

The reporter then mentioned the American flag she had draped around her shoulders and asked her, “How does it feel to represent your country like this?”

Without skipping a beat, Mensah-Stock said, “It feels amazing. I love representing the US, I freaking love living there. I love it and I’m so happy I get to represent USA!”

The clip of her answering that question went completely viral on social media, with many saying how proud they are of her for her performance and her answer to the question.

Congratulations to Tamyra Mensah-Stock! See her viral interview below.