Olympic medalist Kennedy Blades reacts to historic decision as NCAA Division I votes in favor of adding women's wrestling in Championship sports

Kennedy Blades, recently reacted to a historic decision, as the NCAA Division I officially voted to add women's wrestling as its 91st championship sport. The move marks a significant milestone for gender equity in collegiate athletics and highlights the rapid growth and increasing recognition of women's wrestling at all levels.

The announcement follows years of advocacy and development within the wrestling community. Women's wrestling expanded significantly at high school and collegiate levels, with numerous states sanctioning the sport for girls and more schools establishing women's programs. The momentum is now translating to a greater presence on the national stage, offering young athletes the opportunity to pursue their passion for wrestling while receiving a quality education.

Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blades shared her thoughts on the news, initially posted by BASCHA Mania on Instagram. The post was accompanied by a caption:

"The NCAA Division 1 Voted Today IN FAVOR of Adding Women's Wrestling as it's 91st Championship Sport. D2 and D3 will hold their votes on Friday. What a huge day for women's wrestling."

Blades reposted the news on her Instagram story and reacted with two emojis - one shocked face emoji and 100 percent emoji:

Screenshot of Kennedy Blade's Instagram Story/ Source: Instagram/ @kennedyblades

While Division I's approval is a monumental achievement, the wrestling community eagerly awaits the results of Division II and II votes, which could further solidify women's wrestling's spot in collegiate sports.

Kennedy Blades is a one-time Olympic medalist. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she won a silver medal in the 76kg category. She also holds two world championship medals - a gold in 2021 (72kg) and a silver in 2023 (76 kg).

In 2024, Blades shared how the Wrestling community supported her throughout her career.

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When Kennedy Blades reflected on how the wrestling community supported her career

Kennedy Blades at Wrestling - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 16 - Source: Getty

The wrestling community has been a significant source of support for Kennedy Blades. While she became an accomplished wrestler in her own right, her sister Korina, who also competes at 62kg, played a pivotal role in her journey. Despite being sidelined by injuries, her sister continued to encourage the 21-year-old.

The bond between the sisters, forged through challenging childhood experiences, is rooted in mutual support. Growing up, both sisters faced the challenge of not receiving the same respect as male wrestlers, with many boys refusing to partner with them during training. In these moments, the sisters leaned on each other. Even though Korina couldn't physically train with an Olympic wrestler, her presence and guidance fueled her resilience.

Additionally, the silver medalist credits her coaches, Izzy Martinez and Mark Perry, for their role in her development. Martines helped her overcome self-doubt during intense training by providing essential mental support. Perry instilled confidence in her by stressing the importance of studying opponents, contributing to Blade's tactical advantage in matches.

Moreover, after her Olympic trial victories, young fans eagerly gathered to cheer her on and request autographs. Reflecting on these moments, she shared in an interview with Olympics.com in May 2024:

“I never want to not sign something. I think it's just such an important part of wrestling for even the highest people to interact with the younger generation and the people who look up to you because that's what helps us become a great community."

Kennedy Blades also emphasized her belief in inspiring the younger generation, encouraging them to realize their potential to achieve greatness through hard work and dedication.