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Helen Maroulis wins first US women's wrestling Olympic gold

Posted at 5:14 PM, Aug 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-18 17:14:21-04
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Helen Maroulis of the United States defeated Japan's Saori Yoshida 4-1 in the 53-kilogram freestyle final to win the first-ever gold medal for an American women's wrestler.
   
Maroulis celebrated Thursday's win by running around the mat in a circle and holding the United States flag with both hands while it was draped over her back.
   
Yoshida was a 16-time world champion who was going for her fourth gold. She hadn't lost in a major tournament in years, but she had been less dominant in recent tournaments. Maroulis was on a two-year win streak of her own.
   
Yoshida was trying to become the second woman to ever win four Olympic gold medals in a single event across four Summer Games, and the second wrestler to win four Olympic golds. Yoshida's teammate, Kaori Icho, accomplished the feats Wednesday by winning the 58 kilogram gold.