Vorobieva took up wrestling in her youth, despite some misgivings from her parents. After winning a number of titles at youth level, Vorobieva proceeded to succeed at senior level in the women's -72 kg freestyle division, beginning with a bronze medal at the 2012 European Championship. Vorobieva won an unexpected gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where she beat five-time World Champion Stanka Zlateva of Bulgaria to win the gold medal. She was the first Russian to win the -72 kg freestyle title.