Md. Wrestling Gold Medalist Is Living Her Dream

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- At the just-completed Rio Olympics, Maryland athletes took home 18 gold medals. One of those was won by a wrestler from Rockville, Helen Maroulis.

She's only 24, and she's on cloud nine after becoming the first woman to win a gold medal in wrestling in United States history last week.

She defeated 13-time world champ and three-time reigning Olympic champ in the 53kg freestyle class, Japan's Saori Yoshida.

"So when it happened it was really surreal," she says. "It was surprising and at the same time not. I had prepared for it but then afterwards I said, 'Did this really just happen, was it me? Did I just do this?'"

This week, life looks much different. She's had several TV interviews and people have recognized her on the street.

"I'm taking it day by day," she says. "My life is definitely different right now from what I've been doing, which has
just been training and dieting and everything, so its the total opposite."

She plans to get back in the swing of things soon, and hopes to get another gold in Tokyo in 2020.

"I understand the value and importance of role models, because that's what I've had in this sport," she says. "You need role models and need coaches and people to help you get there. But you also need to figure out who you are as a person and stay true to yourself."

As for things getting back to normal after her huge accomplishment, "I can't burn out the flame," she says. "There's so much emotion right now, so much excitement and energy and I say I can't wait to do 2020 but its year by year and it will be a grind again. But I enjoy that process and enjoy the struggle in figuring things out."

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