Watching the reaction of Tamyra Mariama Mensah-Stock on winning the gold medal in her freestyle wrestling category is the best way to end a week.
The 28-year-old became the first Black woman to win gold in the 68kg category. But the result is all the more meaningful considering she nearly abandoned the support after her father, and greatest supporter, was killed in a car crash coming home from one of her wrestling tournaments.
However, the avid karaoke singer — she apparently sang for hours every day during the Games — used her grief and God-given talents to show the world how capable she is.
Before she faced Ukrainian Alla Cherkasova, who’d defeated her twice before, in the semi-finals the devout Christian listened to Get Your Blessing. “So I was like, ‘I gotta get my blessing, go get it, go get it, go get your blessing,’” as reported in USA Today.
“I like to showcase what God’s given me, so going out there and inflicting my will, it’s fun,” she added.
Following her 10-4 victory over Cherkasova she gave her own rendition of the song while still recovering from her match.
Feeling blessed, Mensah-Stock went into the finals and defeated Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu by 4-1. Her reaction was to make a love symbol with her hands for all to see, and no doubt aimed at her biggest fan, her Ghanaian dad.
“I’m trying to send love to everyone,” Mensah-Stock said. “I’m like, love! All in one symbol. I’m just trying to throw out love as best I can,” as shared by USA Today.
Well, the wrestler’s love continued on the podium as she declared, almost surprisingly, “by the grace of God I’m able to move my feet…” With her joy at representing her country, she stood enveloped in the USA flag. Her patriotism, her faith, and her smile was a gift for all to see.
Just click on the joy to feel some of this Mensah-Stock love.
And today we celebrate...