Kennedy Blades Wins Silver at 2024 Olympics

Kennedy Blades made a splash at the 2024 Olympics, securing a silver medal in the women’s 76 kg wrestling category. Competing in Paris, the young athlete showcased her skills and determination throughout the tournament.

The journey started off strong for Blades, who quickly scored two takedowns in her opening match, dominating her opponent, Catalina Axente from Romania, with an impressive 11-0 victory. This early success set the tone for her run in the competition.

Blades then faced tough competition, including a nail-biting match against Milaimy Marin Potrille from Cuba, which she won with a close score of 4-3. She followed that up with a challenging bout against the top-seeded Aiperi Medet Kyzy from Kyrgyzstan, which ended in an 8-6 win for Blades.

In the final match for gold, Blades found herself up against Yuka Kagami, the reigning world champion. The match was tight and intense, with Blades putting up a great fight. However, Kagami managed to clinch a 3-1 victory, leaving Blades with a hard-earned silver medal.

<pAfter the match, Blades reflected on her experience, stating, "I did want gold, of course. But second-best thing." Her determination and skill have not gone unnoticed and many are looking forward to seeing what she’ll accomplish next.

Blades, who began wrestling at the age of 7, is also proud of representing her heritage. She expressed her hopes that her success will inspire younger Latina athletes, something she felt was lacking during her own youth.

As she prepares for a new chapter, transferring to the University of Iowa after studying at Arizona State University, Blades plans to keep her silver medal safe with her parents, hinting at her playful tendency to misplace things.