10 Olympians to watch in Rio

OMAHA, NE - JULY 02: Michael Phelps of the United States competes in the final heat for the Men's 100 Meter Butterfly during Day Seven of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on July 2, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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4. Helen Maroulis, Wrestling

Rhonda Rousey has popularized women’s combat sports. Helen Maroulis is a beneficiary of this upsurge in popularity. Maroulis, of Greek descent- fitting for a wrestler, qualified for Rio at a tournament in Ulaanbaatar Mongolio, crushing her opponent 10-0.

In major international competitions this past year, Maroulis has been undefeated, a stat that bodes well for her success in Rio. One problem Maroulis faces, however, is that she is competing at 53 kg, a lower weight class her normal 55kg. What happened to her normal weight class? It was eliminated going into the Rio games.

Maroulis described the diet as difficult, saying via the Washington Post, “For me, the hardest part was the diet. I love wrestling, love running love lifting. But the diet was hard.” With the help of Erik Arevalo, an MMA fighter, Maroulis was able to make a smooth transition to her new, lower weight class.

Affable and talented, Maroulis is a fun athlete to watch. Given Rousey’s career trajectory, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more of her in the future.

Expect Maroulis to bring home gold in Rio. Will her success there be a springboard to an MMA career? Only time will tell.

Next: 3. Alexander Massialas, Fencing