She has won bachelor's and master's degrees from Stanford University with honors, and next month will enter Yale Law School. But first, Patricia Miranda will attempt to earn one more accolade — Olympic champion — in one of the new sports for women.
For Miranda, this has been an unexpected and often lonely journey.
"A lot of the wrestlers will say, you know, it's been my dream to make an Olympic team," she says. "But I don't know, I never dreamed that high. I never thought that I would go to the Olympics."
Just wrestling alone was tough enough. As an eighth grader—and only girl—she froze her first time on the mat. In what would become a signature move, Patricia decided to master what scared her. But first she had to overcome her fiercest opponent — her father.
"I am a male chauvinist pig, so let's say this is not very common," laughs Jose Miranda.
An immigrant from Brazil, Jose Miranda was raising four kids on his own in northern California. Patricia's mom died when she was 10. Unable to discourage Patricia, he struck a deal — she could wrestle if she got straight A's.
"So when I was able to give him that 4.0 in high school he really did back down," remembers Miranda.
She built a resume of accolades: captain of her high school team, Phi Beta Kappa at Stanford, and the first woman to wrestle on its Division I men's team.
"She opened my eyes as to how good a female wrestler could get," says former college wrestling coach Chris Horpel.
But unlike most Olympians, Patricia's road to Athens was initially paved with defeat, losing time and time again to the boys. In college, she finally beat a male competitor, but against women she became a national and world champion, and gained a fan.
"The first time I went, I didn't know anything," recalls her father Jose. "Now I know a little more. But I was wrestling the chair in front of me, and I probably was aching more at the end of the bout than she was."
For the first time, women's wrestling is a medal sport, and Patricia is a favorite.
"For so many years, it was like, man, I hope you don't get hurt!" says Patricia. "You know, like you can tell in their face that they knew I was going to lose and that sucks. So I'm glad (my father) thinks I'm going to win. That pumps me up so. I like it."
And so does her father — seeing his daughter represent his adopted country. On a stage she never expected — and he never encouraged — father and daughter are finally on the same team.
Note: Patricia Miranda earned the bronze medal in the 48kg/105.5lbs freestyle division.
