Pan American Championships: USA Star Helen Maroulis Brings Gold Home After 12-Year drought

The Pan American Championships have been among the highly anticipated events across spectators as it has high stakes for the USA’s roster. The major reason for the popularity of the Pan American Championships is that the tournament is a stepping stone for athletes on the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Therefore, the second day started with much anticipation with Greco-Roman to be followed by the women’s freestyle. 

Opening the women’s run, at 57kg, Helen Maroulis was nothing short of remarkable. After much hiatus in her professional career, she stood atop the podium clinching gold at the Pan American Championships in Mexico.

Pan American Championships: Maroulis beats Brazilian opponent

After a recent showdown at the Pan American Championships, USA Wrestling took it to their official Twitter account and posted ecstatic news about Helen Maroulis’s win. They penned, “WFS 57 kg – Gold Medal Match – Helen Maroulis dec. Guillia Oliveira , 4-1 #WrestleAcapulco Maroulis wins at the Pan-American Championships!“

The two-time Olympic medallist and 3x World Champion Helen Maroulis was on the edge of retiring from her wrestling career in 2019 because of several concussions that were mere repercussions of her head surgery. However, the wrestling sensation not only won the hard-fought battle but also came up on the wrestling mat even stronger. Along the same lines, she displayed prowess in the 57kg final Pan American Showdown by defeating Guillia Oliveira of Brazil by a 4-1 decision. But this is not the only achievement Helen added to her long list of accolades. 

On the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics 

After making an appearance at the AGT’s stage, Helen Maroulis is not only pumped up for the upcoming Olympics but also is emerging as a force that needs to be reckoned with. By winning the final showdown, Helen claimed a gold medal after 12 years of drought. The last time she stood atop the podium was in the 2012 Pan American Championships at 55kg weight class at Colorado Springs. 

Read More: Pan American Championships: USA’s Greco-Roman Wrestlers Shine Bright With 7 Podium Finishes

Not only gold, but Helen also successfully claimed the first stepping stone on the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Along with the gold medal, Helen has been awarded a coveted spot in the upcoming US Olympic Trials scheduled this April. Now the question is, Will Helen be able to keep up with the heavy weight of expectations after her recent win at the US Olympic Trials to claim another gold? 

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