Helen Maroulis: From Olympic Glory to Jiu-Jitsu Triumph

Olympic wrestling icon Helen Maroulis has once again proven her prowess on the mat, but this time in an entirely new arena: Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Maroulis, the first American woman to win Olympic gold in wrestling, clinched gold in her debut at the IBJJF World Championships after just six weeks of training. Her incredible journey into the sport has left fans and fellow athletes in awe.

In only her second match at the blue belt level, Maroulis demonstrated her mastery by securing a mounted guillotine choke to claim victory. Her performance seemed like that of a seasoned professional, and she went on to win five matches in a row to take home the gold medal. Reflecting on her transition to jiu-jitsu, she shared her excitement:

“This experience was amazing. I already love jiu-jitsu; I fell in love with it pretty instantly,” Maroulis told IBJJF after her win. “There are similarities to wrestling, but I love everything that’s different about it too. I was nervous because I’d never even done one match in my life before, so I had no idea what to expect.”

Maroulis’ decision to explore jiu-jitsu came unexpectedly during a trip to New York for a USA Wrestling event. Intrigued by the sport, she decided to give it a try, training with Unity Jiu-Jitsu’s team in preparation for her first competition. Grateful for her coaches and teammates, she expressed her appreciation for the supportive environment that helped her succeed.

While Maroulis hasn’t hung up her wrestling shoes yet, her foray into jiu-jitsu marks a potential shift in focus. Wrestling, she admits, has taken a toll on her body over the years, but jiu-jitsu offers a therapeutic balance.

“Wrestling is very, very hard on the body,” she explained. “With jiu-jitsu, you see older people not just competing but training all the time. It’s like therapy for me—healthy for the mind, body, and soul.”

As the most decorated women’s wrestler in U.S. history, with Olympic gold in 2016 and bronze in both 2020 and 2024, Maroulis continues to inspire as she expands her horizons. With her debut success, she seems poised to leave a lasting impact on the jiu-jitsu world as well.