At 5 feet, 4 inches tall, Jajaira Gonzalez wouldnt seem like the type of girl who would pick up a pair of boxing gloves and enter the ring, let alone excel at boxing. Dont let her small frame fool you. She packs a mean punch. A Charter Oak High School student and life-long Glendora resident, Gonzalez, 17, returned home with a gold medal after competing in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, on August 26. She became the first boxer from the United States to earn the honor after defeating opponent Ciara Ginty of Ireland 3-0 in a lightweight match. Gonzalez was one of just four young boxers representing the United States at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. Jajaira is also the 2014 Youth Olympic Games qualifier champion, the 2014 Youth Continental champion, the 2014 Junior and Youth Open champion and the 2013 Junior World champion, to name a few. I was really excited, but its definitely something to be humble about because you have opponents that are going to be training to try and beat you, Jajaira said of her gold medal victory. You got to stay humble because anything can happen. Jajaira left her family for three months during her journey to the Youth Olympic Games. Reminding herself of her loved ones helped motivate her to return victorious. It really got me through my workouts to keep trying harder for them, Jajaira said. Jajaira began boxing at the age of 8 because her father Jose, 45, needed to keep her close while Gonzalezs mother worked. Jajaira didnt care much for boxing to begin with. After a young male boxer scoffed at the idea of a girl getting in the ring, her father continued to encourage her to show the young male boxer that Jajaira was made of the right stuff. Jose worked with his daughter to build her skills and when it came time to spar with the boxer, in Jajairas words he didnt do too good. She continued to excel quickly as she kept boxing, Jose said. The Azusa Youth Boxing Club is where Jajaira has trained since she started. She also trains in Colorado Springs, Colo. for major events. Boxing really is a family affair. Father Jose boxed when he was 16 years old. One of Jajairas older brothers, Joet, 20, competed in the 2012 US Olympic Team and is continuing to nurture a promising boxing career. Brother Jousce, 19, earned silver in the 2014 USA Boxing Elite National Championships. Jajaira and younger brother JonJairo, 13, are trained by their father and older brothers, whom tend to not go too easy on their sister. Their strength, though, has helped Jajaira become a better boxer. Theyre [her brothers] the best sparring that I got. No one is going to hit harder than them. I dont like to spar with my second-oldest brother too much, because he says he doesnt hit too hard, but he does, Jajaira joked. Jajaira dreams of competing in the 2016 Olympics. She continues to motivate herself by reminding herself that nothing is sweeter than victory and that it only comes through hard work. You got to work for it. You cant just expect it to come, Jajaira said. —Aaron C.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:00:02 +0000
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