Patricia Miranda
Miranda Patricia (born June 11, 1979 in Manteca, California) is the first American women in Olympic history to receive a medal in woman's wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympics games in Athens, Greece. She wrestled in the 48kg or 106 lb weight class in which she received the bronze medal.
Daughter of political refugees from Brazil, her biggest challange was not on the mat, but off it by trying to convince her father to allow her to wrestle. Eventually, she struck a deal with him, stating as long as she kept straight A's, she could wrestle. She did this with ease and was given her father's blessing to stay in the sport. Eventually, she wrestled against men while at Stanford University which she did have a few wins, but became very dominate in womans wrestling.
Career highlights
World Championships
- 2 Freestyle - 48kg 2003 New York, NY, USA
- 2 Freestyle - 51kg 2000 Sofia, BUL
- 1 Freestyle - 51kg 2002 Maracaibo, VEN
- 3 Freestyle - 48kg 2003 Guatemala City, GUA
- 3 Freestyle - 48kg 2004 Athens, Greece