Sarah Hildebrandt retires after winning Olympic Gold in Paris to become a deputy coach of the national wrestling team in the United States.
“Much of this (the decision) was, obviously, I had a very long career, and I was able to discover what the struggle gave and taught me,” Hildebrandt said. “It really made me so passionate about what this sport can do for people. … If I can just bring a passion and support energy to help someone in their trip, a bit like a handful of Door to open their own adventure, it’s exciting for me.
In Paris, Hildebrandt became the fourth American woman to win Olympic wrestling gold, one day after her teammate Amit Elor became the third.
Hildebrandt thought of retiring after Paris before and after the matches. But she also thought that way in Tokyo Games.
After her Olympic gold, she wrote each time she had the feeling of wanting to go back to competition and each time she had the feeling of not wanting to come back.
“I really felt nervous and, I don’t know, right next to myself,” she said. “I felt this call to want to do something not only for me.
“I’m sure there will be times when I am, oh, I’m ready to put my singlet, but I will have these feelings the rest of my life.”
Helen Maroulis (Rio 2016) and Tamyra Mensah-Stock (Tokyo 2020) previously won Olympic titles.
Hildebrandt, 31, also won the Olympic bronze in Tokyo, plus four silver or bronze medals of the world championships.
“It’s not just what she did; This is how she did it, “said the coach of the national team Terry Steiner in a press release.” She went through everything. He was a child who could not have the national team and fought. She was part of the world team and fought. She injured herself. It was then that she did things, took a break and changed. Due to his experiences, there is not a person in our national team and around our program that does not respect them. Respect does not only concern its accomplishment in Paris; This is how she reinvented herself to become a great champion and a great human being. She will become an excellent coach. “”
The NCAA adds the female struggle as a championship sport
The female struggle, which made its debut at the Olympic Games in 2004, will be the 91st Championship Sport.
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