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An Olympic wrestler whose joy of winning gold in Tokyo touched the hearts of millions of people on Wednesday evening spoke of her love for the United States – and how she planned to thank her mother.
Tamyra Mensah-Stock, 28, became the first African-American woman to win gold in wrestling and the second American woman.
The Chicago-born athlete, now based in Texas, was overcome with emotion in Tokyo, telling viewers at home: “I love representing the United States.
“I love living there.
“I love it, and I’m so happy to be able to represent the United States! ”
Asked by Sean Hannity where her love of the country came from, Mensah-Stock credited her parents.
Tamyra Mensah-Stock is pictured after beating Nigeria to win gold in the women’s 68kg medal match on August 3. She is the first African-American woman to win a gold medal in wrestling, and only the second woman to triumph in Olympic wrestling
Mensah-Stock told Hannity about his joy in representing the United States on Wednesday evening
Her father, Prince Mensah, immigrated to the United States at the age of 30 and met her mother, Shonda Wells.
“My mother raised us with respect, my father was an immigrant and he was from Ghana,” she said.
“He came to America and he made his way, he had a whole bunch of businesses. He did something out of nothing.
“I just know that if you go out and get what you want, nothing can stop you.
“So I guess just those kind of parents in my life, I just have love for my country.”
Mensah-Stock’s attitude stands in stark contrast to fellow Olympians Gwen Berry and Raven Saunders, who both staged protests during the Games.
Berry, a 31-year-old hammer thrower, staged a high-profile protest during the Olympic trials on June 26 – turning to the stands, putting her hands on her hips, then holding a t-shirt with the words ‘athlete activist’ .
Shot putter Raven Saunders raised her arms above her head on the podium and formed an “X” with her wrists as she claimed her silver medal.
The 25-year-old American explained that the crossing of her wrists was “the meeting point for all oppressed people.”
As the anthem was played during the June 26 trials in Eugene, Oregon, Gwen Berry (left) placed her left hand on her hip and shuffled her feet before turning to the stands.
Raven Saunders of the United States poses with her silver medal in the women’s shot put at the Tokyo Olympics
Her mother, Shonda Wells, supported her throughout the process, including the day after her father died.
Mensah-Stock is pictured competing in Tokyo, in the final
She said she hoped her victory would inspire other black girls to take up the sport, telling them the sacrifices and training were worth it.
Mensah-Stock’s father died in a car crash in 2009, falling asleep at the wheel on his way home after seeing her compete.
After her death, she considered giving up the fight, blaming him for taking her father.
“I wanted to quit so many times because I felt like all the pain wasn’t worth it,” she admitted to Team USA.
She said her mother turned to the kitchen to support the family.
“She still does a backbreaking job and I just saw her struggle since my father died, and I don’t like to see it,” she told People, claiming she was sworn to help.
“I made her a promise and she loves to cook. It’s just one of his passions.
Mensah-Stock told Hannity she was happy to be able to help.
Mensah-Stock said her mother plans to drive her food truck around Texas, and possibly beyond
She joined her twin sister in the fight after being intimidated by her track teammates. At first she hated it, complaining that people were sweating all over her
Mensah-Stock is pictured with her mother and twin sister, who encouraged her to take up wrestling
She intended to donate her $ 37,500 in earnings to buy her mom a food truck – but the owner of Cruising Kitchens – the world’s largest mobile asset maker – heard the story and made it happen. donation of a food truck from their collection.
“I did my research on her and fell in love with who she was,” said Cameron Davies, owner of Cruising Kitchens.
His team will design, build and donate a $ 250,000 food truck for Wells.
Mensah-Stock told Hannity she was overwhelmed.
“Giving all the glory to God, I really appreciate that I can even be able to provide my mom with the food truck of her dreams,” she said.
“A little surprised, there was actually something that came out that surprised her on another station. Someone is buying a food truck for my mom and making it from scratch.
“So she’s about to hit a big sum for her food truck, it’s going to be the food truck of her dreams.”
Mensah-Stock said it was going to be called P’Lickles Finest.
“She wants to make African food, sweets and barbecues.
“Right now it’s going to be made in San Antonio, Texas, and she loves cooking in Houston because she has a few hot spots that she loves, where she had her pit on wheels.
“She might want to travel all over the country, who knows?”
“We gave her the food truck of her dreams where she can go anywhere and do anything. I am extremely excited for her.
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