Women's wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock set social media aflame with her national pride Tuesday after she proclaimed her love for representing the US at this year's Olympics.
The 28 year old had just made history, becoming the second American and the first black woman to win the Gold in the sport's 17-year history in the games, and appeared overwhelmed with joy.
Standing with the American flag draped around her she was asked what it felt like to represent the United States.
'It feels amazing' she exclaimed. 'I love representing the US, I freaking love living there. I love it and I'm so happy I get to represent USA. Love it.'
Women's wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock showed off her national pride after winning the gold in women's wrestling, telling her interviewer 'I love representing the US, I freaking love living there'
We need to protect this woman at all costs… An infectious beam of positivity, her spirit is undeniable. What an incredible representative of our sport and our great country. This interview is so emotional! We are SO proud of you! #TMS @MensahTamStock pic.twitter.com/372k1gpu0O
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) August 3, 2021
Mensah-Stock had gone up against Blessing Oborududu (left) of Nigeria to win the Gold in the women's freestyle light heavyweight category
The Tokyo games were her first appearance at the Olympics, and Mensah-Stock had competed in the women's freestyle light heavyweight category, defeating Blessing Oborududu from Nigeria to win the Gold in the final.
She curled her hands into a heart-shaped gesture immediately after her win and was in tears.
Earlier in the competition she went up against 2016 Gold medalist Sara Dosho from Japan.
She started wrestling at age 15, around the time when her father was killed in a car accident on the way back from one of her matches.
On Tuesday, she said she would give $30,000 of her winnings from the win to her mother Shonda so she can buy the food truck she has always dreamed of owning.
Mensah-Stock's expression of love for representing her country came in contrast with other recent high-profile political protests by other US athletes competing at this year's games.
On Sunday, shot putter Raven Saunders raised her arms above her head on the podium and formed an 'X' with her wrists in protest as she claimed her silver medal.
Mensah-Stock's national pride came in contrast to other high-profile political protests at this year's Olympics. On Sunday, US women's shot putter Raven Saunders posed with her silver medal her arms crossed in the air in an 'x,' which she said represented, 'the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet'
Additionally while the anthem played at the June 26 trials in Eugene, Oregon , Gwen Berry (left) placed her left hand on her hip and shuffled her feet before turning away toward the stands away from the American flag
The 25-year-old American explained the crossing of her wrists as 'the intersection of where all people who are oppressed
