Match of the Day: Patricia Miranda becomes the first U.S. women's freestyle wrestler to earn a spot on the Olympic Team
by USA Wrestling
The 2004 Olympic Games were the first to include women’s freestyle wrestling. There were four weight classes contested, 48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg and 72 kg.
The U.S. was represented by Patricia Miranda, who took bronze at 48 kg, Sara McMann, who took silver at 63 kg, Tela O’Donnell at 55 kg and Toccara Montgomery at 72 kg.
Miranda was the first wrestler to win her Olympic Team Trials final and claim her spot on the team. A two-time World silver medalist (2000, 2003) and 2006 World bronze medalist, Miranda would wrestle Clarissa Chun for the Olympic Team spot.
Chun, who is currently the National Women’s Freestyle Assistant Coach, would go on to win a World title in 2008 and take bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Watch Miranda and Chun wrestle below:
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