WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wrestle Like A Girl (WLAG) has named the USA Women's Olympic Wrestling team as the 2024 recipient of the Afsoon Courage Award for their performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Named in honor of Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, the award celebrates athletes who must use immense personal courage to be able to participate or compete in sports, who stand up for what is right and do what is right rather than what is easy.

The award will be presented at WLAG’s Glitter Into Gold Gala on October 18 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

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“I am thrilled to celebrate the 2024 USA Women’s Olympic Wrestling Team as the recipients of this year’s Afsoon Courage award," said Johnston. "We all saw these six individuals who embody the spirit of courage, display their bravery and strength in the face of adversity on the international stage. I am proud of these women and with profound admiration applaud the inspiring example they have set for all of us and the future generations to come.

Members of the team are:

• Kennedy Blades, who appeared in her first Olympics and earned a silver medal

• Amit Elor, who appeared in her first Olympics and, at 20 years old, became the youngest American, male or female, in history to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling

• Sarah Hildebrandt, a two-time Olympian who won gold in Paris after capturing bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

• Helen Maroulis, who appeared in her American record third Olympics in Paris and won a bronze medal to go with her 2016 Rio de Janeiro gold medal and her 2020 Tokyo bronze medal, becoming the most decorated Olympic female wrestler in U.S. history with three medals

• Kayla Miracle, a two-time Olympian

• Dominique Parrish, who made her first Olympic appearance in Paris

“The Paris Olympics marked a significant moment for women's wrestling,” said Sally Roberts, WLAG co-founder and CEO. "On the global stage, women showed the world what happens when they are provided support, access, and opportunities. The performances this team displayed in these Games have etched their names in history, not just for the records they broke, but for the spirit, determination, and unity they displayed on the world stage.

“Their achievements will inspire generations of female wrestlers to come, reminding all of us of the power of perseverance and the pursuit of excellence," she added. "On behalf of myself, our Board of Trustees, and our entire WLAG organization, we applaud them for their efforts and for continuously pushing and seeking the boundaries for female athletes in the sport of wrestling.”

In addition to the Courage Award, WLAG will present its esteemed Betty Award to Female Elite Wrestling co-founder Dr. Charlotte Bailey for her advocacy of women’s wrestling through philanthropy and volunteerism, and the Adrienne Arsht Leadership Award.

To purchase individual tickets or a table, please visit: Wrestle Like A Girl Gala 2024

The Glitter Into Gold Gala celebrates the advancements of women's wrestling through WLAG programs and gathers and honors influential community leaders and businesses for their

continued support and advocacy. This year’s theme ‘Champions of Change’ will celebrate recent landmark achievements including:

• Women’s wrestling is being recommended for NCAA Championship Status by 2026.

• Five more states have sanctioned girls’ high school wrestling—the most recent being Indiana—making it 46 states that now recognize girls' high school wrestling as an official sport.

• Powerful diplomatic sports collaborations with Azerbaijan, Canada, Jordan, and USA wrestling federations.

About Wrestle Like A Girl

Wrestle Like A Girl, a 501(c)3 founded in 2016, is led by Team USA bronze medalist, Sally Roberts, with a mission to empower girls and women using the sport of wrestling to become leaders in life. Through Advocacy and Education, Programs, and Research, WLAG leads and supports policies that champion the inclusion of girls and women in wrestling, advocates for a healthier wrestling culture, and leads projects that reduce barriers to entry while increasing opportunities. Learn more at www.wrestlelikeagirl.org or follow @wrestlelikeagirl_ on Instagram and @WrstleLikeAGirl on X (Twitter).