Maroulis stepped into wrestling to support her brother. "My little brother needed a partner in his first year, and I stepped in," she recalls. She faced numerous challenges, including scepticism from coaches who doubted a girl could excel in a male-dominated sport.

Club and Coaching

Currently, Maroulis is part of the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club based in Scottsdale, AZ, USA. She trains under the guidance of national coach Terry Steiner.

Olympic Glory

One of Maroulis' most memorable achievements came at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She won a gold medal by defeating Japan's three-time Olympic champion Saori Yoshida in the 53kg competition. "To beat a legend, that was one of the best days of my life," she said.

Injuries and Recovery

Maroulis has faced several injuries throughout her career. In March 2021, she tore the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her right knee and aggravated it during the US Olympic Team Trials in April 2021. Despite this, she secured victory in the 57kg category.

She also underwent shoulder surgery in November 2018, which sidelined her for eight months and caused her to miss the 2019 World Championships. Additionally, she sustained concussions and a neck injury in 2018.

Concussion and PTSD

Maroulis experienced long-term concussion symptoms starting in January 2018, leading to a brief retirement from wrestling in 2019. She suffered from fatigue, sensitivity to light and sound, severe vertigo, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "I would have these episodes where I would hyperventilate, shake and cry," she shared.

The shoulder surgery provided her with time to recover from PTSD. "That [shoulder injury] was a real blessing in disguise because that also was time for me to heal," she said. Now, she prioritises her health above all else.

Influences and Heroes

Maroulis cites her father as the most influential person in her career. Her heroes include US wrestlers Cael Sanderson and Dan Gable, as well as US swimmer Michael Phelps.

Philosophy

"I just follow the plan, do what I'm told, work hard and enjoy it," is Maroulis' sporting philosophy. This approach has guided her through both triumphs and challenges.

Greek Heritage

Maroulis' father was born in Greece and moved to the USA as a boy. After winning gold at the 2016 Olympics, she became well-known on his home island of Kalamos. The Greek government honoured her achievement by putting her image on a postage stamp.

"Everyone on the island came down cheering as the boat came in," her father Yiannis said. "Church bells were ringing, horns honking."

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, Maroulis aims to win gold at future Olympic Games. Her journey continues to inspire many young athletes around the world.