August 9, 2024 | Olympic Roller Coaster
In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sarah Hildebrandt captured the gold medal in women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling, but not without a whirlwind of confusion. The chaos began when Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being just 100 grams over the weight limit, opening the door for Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman to step into the final.
Hildebrandt, who had previously secured a bronze in Tokyo, found herself at the center of an unexpected saga. Initially, she was informed she had won gold by default after Phogat’s disqualification. However, just an hour later, she was told she would need to face Guzman in the final match. Hildebrandt described the day as “chaotic,” revealing the bizarre sequence of events that followed.
“I got a call saying I was the Olympic champion, but then it was like ‘psych!’—I had to get ready for the final match,” Hildebrandt recounted. Despite the confusion, she dominated the final, defeating Guzman 3-0 to secure the gold.
Hildebrandt, showing empathy for Phogat’s misfortune, noted, “It’s heartbreaking for Vinesh. She had an incredible performance, and to see it end like that is tough. But we all have to manage our weight and be ready for anything.”
In an unusual day for the American wrestler, the emotional highs and lows made for a memorable Olympic experience—one she’ll never forget.
