Maria Dunn

Maria Dunn (born March 6, 1986) is a female freestyle wrestler from Guam. She participated in Women's freestyle 63 kg at 2008 Summer Olympics losing to Elina Vaseva. She also competed in the same division at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and lost to competitor Lubov Volosova. Maria Dunn has won ten Oceania Championships in women's freestyle wrestling.

For the musician, see Maria Dunn (musician).
Maria Dunn
Personal information
Birth nameMaria McQueen Dunn
NationalityGuamanian
Born (1986-03-06) March 6, 1986
Tamuning, Guam
Height1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Weight63 kg (139 lb)[1]
Sport
Country Guam
SportWrestling
Event(s)Women's freestyle 63 kg
Medal record
Women's Freestyle Wrestling
Representing  Guam
Oceania Championships
2007Women's freestyle 63 kg
2008Women's freestyle 63 kg
2010Women's freestyle 63 kg
2012Women's freestyle 63 kg
2002Women's freestyle 63 kg
2011Women's freestyle 67 kg

Biography

Early life and education

Maria Dunn was born March 6, 1986, in Tamuning, Guam.[1] Dunn wrestled on her high school team.[2] Dunn's mother was worried, saying "I tried to stop her because I'm afraid for her".[2] Her mother tried to get her into modeling, enrolling her into classes, but Dunn chose wrestling instead. Dunn's mother relented and allowed her to join the wrestling team.[3]

Dunn was the first female college wrestler to receive an athletic scholarship at Missouri Valley College.[4] She attended the university from 2004 to 2008.[5] Dunn graduated with a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Guam in 2011.[6]

Olympic career

Dunn was the first-ever Guamanian female wrestler to participate in the Olympic Games, via invitational slot or 'wild card'.[7] She was the flagbearer for the Opening Ceremonies of the Games.[8] Dunn finished in last place during the 2008 Summer Olympics in the women's freestyle 63 kg.[9]

Dunn qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics with a tripartite allocation. If the rules were the same as in 2008, she would have qualified after she won the 2012 Oceania Wrestling Championships.[10] Dunn was one of three female wrestlers to receive a tripartite allocation, and the only female wrestler from Oceania to receive one.[11] She trained for the 2012 Summer Olympics with Roy Wood in the city of Wigan, and stayed with his family while practicing freestyle wrestling.[12] She was the flagbearer for Guam during the Opening Ceremonies.[13] Dunn was pinned by Russian Lubov Volosova early in the match. Dunn believed only one of her shoulders were down, which would mean she was not pinned, and believed the official called the pin because it was near the end of the period.[14]

International career

Dunn won silver at the 2002 Oceania Championships,[15] and won gold at the 2007,[16] 2008,[17] and 2010 Oceania Championships.[18] Dunn was named the outstanding female wrestler of the 2010 Oceania Championships. She did not lose a single match between the 2002 and 2011 Oceania Championships, and decided to move up a weight class to have more competition. She lost to New Zealand's Tayla Ford in the championship match of the 2011 Oceania Championships and took home a silver medal.[19] She also won the 2012 Oceania Wrestling Championships, moving back to the 63 kg weight class.[20][21]

References
  1. "Maria Dunn". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  2. Martinez, Lacee (July 7, 2012). "Tackling Gender Traditions". Pacific Daily News. p. A14 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Martinez, Lacee (July 7, 2012). "Tackling Gender Traditions". Pacific Daily News. p. A17 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Allen, Chris (July 24, 2012). "Missouri Valley College acts as stepping stone for Olympic bound female wrestlers". KSHB. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  5. Allen, Chris (August 7, 2012). "London 2012: Team MVC". The Marshall Democrat-News. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  6. Lujan, Patrick (July 5, 2012). "Olympic Profile: Maria Dunn". Guam Sports Network. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  7. "1st Guam Woman to qualify for the Olympic Games". Guam National Olympic Committee. March 4, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  8. "Olympic flag bearers". UPI. July 27, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  9. "2008 Summer Olympics Results - Wrestling". ESPN. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  10. "Guam Olympic Team Taking Shape". Pacific Daily News. June 1, 2012. p. A48 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Guam Olympic Team Taking Shape". Pacific Daily News. June 1, 2012. p. A45 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "London 2012: Olympic wrestler trains in Wigan". BBC. November 8, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  13. "London Welcomes World". Pacific Daily News. July 29, 2012. p. A32.
  14. Tomas, Jojo Santo (August 9, 2012). "Russian pins Dunn early in match". Pacific Daily News – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Oceania 2002 Results" (PDF). Wrestling Australia. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  16. "Values: Teaches Life Skills". Pacific Daily News. February 10, 2012. p. A45 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "2010 Oceania and South Pacific Wrestling Championship" (PDF). Wrestling Australia. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  18. "2010 Oceania and South Pacific Wrestling Championship" (PDF). Wrestling Australia. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  19. "Wrestle: a few bump in the road". Pacific Daily News. March 9, 2011. p. A35.
  20. Cruz, Roman Dela (February 9, 2012). "Check Out Video Online of Jiu-Jitsu on Guam". Pacific Daily News. p. A32 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "FILA 2012 Oceania Championships Sydney Australia" (PDF). Wrestling Australia. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
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