American speed skater Erin Jackson won gold in the women’s 500-meter race at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday. With a time of 37.04 seconds, Jackson became the first Black woman to bring home an individual medal in any speed skating event, according to CNN. Jackson’s triumph also marks the first time an American woman has won gold in the 500-meter race since Bonnie Blair’s first place finish in 1994.

“I cried immediately, it was just a big release of emotion,” Jackson, 29, said. “A lot of shock, a lot of relief and a lot of happiness. I haven’t fully processed everything quite yet, but it just feels amazing. …I had a little misstep on the backstretch, but I just tried to, I wouldn’t say recover, because it wasn’t anything big, but just tried to continue skating.”

Though Jackson ranks No. 1 in the world, she nearly missed this year’s Games after a stumble during Olympic trials placed her out of range to qualify, according to ESPN. However, Jackson’s teammate and friend Brittany Bowe decided to forfeit her own spot so that Jackson could compete.

“Right after the race, I knew that if it came down to me relinquishing my spot for her to be named on the team, I would do that because she deserves it,” Bowe told reporters. “[Jackson] has earned the right to compete in her marquee event at the Olympics, and it was an honor to give her that spot for the opportunity to race for gold for Team USA.”

Jackson said she felt a “flood of emotions” when Bowe made the call, which ultimately paid off. Jackson finished the race 0.08 seconds ahead of silver medalist Miho Takagi from Japan, and .17 ahead of the Russian Olympic Committee’s Angelina Golikova, who came in third.