Takedown Report

Iowa’s Kennedy Blades looks forward to chasing ‘iconic trophy’ in inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling championship

Women’s College Wrestler of the Year and Olympic medalist enters her senior season ready for more
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games forever changed how the University of Iowa’s Kennedy Blades approached her stardom. 
Before the opening ceremony, the unranked wrestler in her first Olympic Games tried to meet all of her favorite iconic athletes, asking for pictures and autographs.
She saw an athlete she had idolized for a long time and asked to take a picture, but the athlete glared at her and told her “no pictures,” turning around and walking away. “I was sad because I really looked up to this person, and it hurt me so bad. So, yeah, I went back to my room and cried a lot,” she said.
After drying her tears, Blades made a promise to herself. “That feeling I had, I just would never wish it upon anyone else,” she said. … more at … https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/10/31/media-center-iowas-kennedy-blades-looks-forward-to-chasing-iconic-trophy-in-inaugural-ncaa-womens-wrestling-championship.aspx

November 10, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment