The analogies of a wrestler of Greek heritage competing in the modern Olympics— even though she’s a woman— could be many. Think of all this ancient vases with images of nude wrestlers competing in the ancient Games.
And think about how she describes herself on her online bio:“Greek by birth. Wrestler by heart. Passionate about life.”
Helen Maroulis carried on this fine athletic tradition of her forefathers and gave enthusiastic global audiences the upset win of the Rio Olympics, winning a gold medal for Team USA with a 4-1 win over Japan’s legendary Saori Yoshida— an undefeated 13-time world champion and triple Olympic medalist.
Two things were on Maroulis’ mind after her stunning victory.
God and Greek food.
Her immediate thoughts after the victory: “Christ in me, I am enough.” A devout Christian, Maroulis owes her success to her faith in God and often Tweets and shares her faith as a compelling factor in her success.
Her faith developed within her when she attended Missouri Baptist University and her Greek heritage has remained an integral part of her life.
Her official t-shirt that she shared on her Facebook and Instagram pages share both her faith in God and her Greek heritage.
And then there’s Greek food— everything she’s grown up with being raised in a Greek American home but was deprived of during intense months of training.
“I’ve been dreaming about all the Greek food,” she told NBC News after her victory.
But in the end, for Maroulis, it’s all about faith.
“In Greek, ‘Πιστεύω’ means ‘I believe’ she says, as her personal motto. “Believe in yourself and believe in your training.”
Wise words from America’s latest Olympic hero.
