PARIS — The most formidable athlete in Team USA’s roster is a 150-pound powerhouse of resilience and skill. On Monday, Amit Elor made her Olympic debut, and even seasoned world champions seemed to be immobilized by her presence. They hesitated, reluctant to engage in combat with the woman who would inevitably defeat them, overwhelmed by the American sensation, Amit Elor.
Elor, at just 20 years old, has never faced defeat in a senior international wrestling match. She holds the title of reigning world champion, under-23 world champion, and under-20 world champion in the 72-kilogram category—one of the four weight classes not included in the Olympics. Hence, she dropped down to the 68kg category. Unseeded in her new weight class, she faced the reigning world champion, Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu from Turkey, in the very first Olympic round.
Dominance in the Arena
A Powerful Start
Elor attacked Tosun with relentless energy, scoring point after point until Tosun’s head ultimately hit the mat in despair. She secured a 10-2 victory, and the only surprise at the Arena Champ-de-Mars was the margin of her win.
“I’m surprised anyone scored on her at all,” said Elor’s coach, Sara McMann, following her first two victories.
In the quarterfinals, Elor overpowered Polish opponent Wiktoria Choluj with an 8-0 win, leaving Choluj visibly upset during her post-match interview. Choluj leaned on a railing, occasionally lowering her head in despair.
Continued Dominance
Elor’s semifinal match against North Korea’s Sol Gum Pak ended early due to the mercy rule. With a takedown and four turns, she amassed 10 points in just 27 seconds. This time, Elor knelt on the mat, her hands with stars-and-stripes-painted nails on her cheeks.
“I had goosebumps,” Elor later said. “I was just staring at the crowd cheering for me, thinking, ‘I can’t believe this is real. I can’t believe life is real.’ The little girl who started wrestling at four years old is still inside me, marveling at how she went from local kids’ practice to the Olympic stage. It’s just insane.”
A Journey of Trials and Triumphs
Early Beginnings
Born and raised in Walnut Creek, California, Elor is the daughter of Israeli immigrants and the youngest of six siblings. Her journey in wrestling began when she accompanied a parent to her older brother’s practice. Despite being steered toward more traditional sports for girls, Elor was drawn to the physicality of wrestling, a sport her brothers also engaged in, even though it was often unwelcoming to girls.
Overcoming Challenges
In her early years, Elor wrestled boys who often complained about facing her. “Once she started beating up the boys, many coaches didn’t like it,” her mother told USA Today.
Elor recalled that many of her early coaches were “very tough” on her, fostering a belief that she wasn’t good at wrestling. Despite her accumulating accomplishments, she remained critical of herself.
Rising Through the Ranks
Building Skills and Confidence
Elor’s training intensified over the years, incorporating judo and jiu-jitsu. High school opponents were no match for her. After a single loss at the Under-17 World Championships in 2019, she vowed to win the next year—and she has not lost a match since.
Missing the 2020 Olympics
Born on January 1, 2004, Elor missed the age cutoff for the 2020 Olympic trials by one day. However, she set her sights on Paris 2024. As she continued to win, she also worked on building the self-confidence that early coaches had undermined. “It’s taken a lot of healing and support for me to start believing in myself and my abilities,” she said. She credited coach McMann, whom she connected with at the U-20 World Championships, with transforming her relationship with wrestling.
“I’m truly starting to love the sport again,” Elor reflected. “It’s been quite a journey.”
The Road to Olympic Glory
Unbeaten Streak
Elor entered the Olympics with an unbeaten streak in her last 37 international matches, outscoring her opponents 322-16. The only challenge was the weight-class switch. United World Wrestling offers 10 divisions at its championships, while the Olympics only offer six, excluding her usual category. Thus, Elor opted to cut around eight pounds for the competition.
Facing Top Competitors
This left her unseeded and facing a first-round match against a top competitor, Buse Tosun. Elor wasn’t thrilled with the draw—not out of fear, but because she had already pinned Tosun in 40 seconds in a previous encounter. “My first thought was, Aw, I gotta wrestle her again?” she said.
Elor had hoped for a new challenge, like Japanese medal favorite Nonoka Ozaki. However, Ozaki lost in the quarters, while Elor advanced.
Performing Under Pressure
The Olympic Stage
Elor approached the Olympic stage with confidence. A camera and thousands of eyes followed her every move. For many 20-year-olds, the moment might have been overwhelming, but not for Elor.
“The more people watch me, the more I feel the urge to explode and fight even harder,” she explained. “When I’m stepping onto that mat, instead of feeling nerves and doubt, the crowd’s cheers sharpen my focus and desire to fight.”
Relentless Aggression
Elor attacked each of her opponents with relentless aggression, driving them out of bounds or onto their stomachs. Even when down by several points, her opponents often chose to concede more points rather than face her again. By the end of each match, both Tosun and Choluj appeared demoralized.
In contrast, Elor savored these moments. For the duration of each match, she focused solely on winning. “And then as soon as the match ends, I look around and think, ‘Oh my gosh. Cherish this moment. Enjoy this moment. Feel it.'”
FAQs
What inspired Amit Elor to start wrestling?
Amit Elor was inspired to start wrestling after tagging along to her older brother’s practice. Despite initial resistance and being steered toward more traditional sports for girls, she was drawn to wrestling’s physicality.
How has Amit Elor’s training evolved over the years?
Elor’s training has intensified over the years, incorporating judo and jiu-jitsu. Her rigorous training regimen has made her a formidable opponent on the mat.
What challenges has Elor faced in her wrestling career?
Elor has faced several challenges, including skepticism from early coaches and the need to build her self-confidence. She also had to cut weight to compete in a different category for the Olympics.
How did Amit Elor prepare for the Olympics?
Elor prepared for the Olympics by cutting approximately eight pounds to compete in the 68kg category. She entered the competition with an unbeaten streak in her last 37 international matches.
What are Elor’s future goals in wrestling?
While specific future goals were not mentioned, it is clear that Elor aims to continue her winning streak and further establish herself as a dominant force in wrestling.
Conclusion
Amit Elor’s journey from a young girl tagging along to her brother’s wrestling practice to becoming an Olympic finalist is nothing short of extraordinary. Her relentless determination, rigorous training, and ability to overcome challenges have made her a formidable competitor on the international stage. As she advances in her career, Elor’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide, proving that with dedication and resilience, the highest peaks of success are within reach.
