In Las Cruces, New Mexico, five-year-old Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz found boxing in her lounge with stepdad Danny Melendrez, a boxing coach since 2002. Underneath Melendrez’s steerage, Olayo-Munoz embraced the game, dedicating herself to turning into a rising star on Crew USA.
Balancing faculty and boxing can show difficult, but Olayo-Munoz, additionally a monitor athlete for Las Cruces Excessive College, thrives on the competitors. Past sports activities, she cherishes time with family and friends, having fun with a well-rounded life that features her newfound ardour for monitor.
“Outdoors of sports activities, I am a girly lady,” Joscelyn shares. “My mother encourages me to have a life past boxing. After coaching, I like mall outings, procuring, hanging out with associates, getting my nails accomplished, and Starbucks. I get pleasure from being myself and having enjoyable.”
In 2015, Olayo-Munoz debuted in aggressive boxing, securing a split-decision victory. Now a dominant drive in USA Boxing, she is going to characterize Crew USA within the 48 kg weight class on the World Boxing U19 Championships in Pueblo, Colorado.
“Overcoming losses is my largest problem,” Joscelyn admits. “I be taught from each defeat, searching for methods to enhance. Dwelling on losses is not productive; I give attention to shifting ahead.”
With 15 USA Boxing newbie titles, together with the 2023 Nationwide Championships, Olayo-Munoz impresses along with her ring prowess and fierce willpower. As soon as within the ring, the ‘girly lady’ transforms right into a relentless competitor centered solely on victory.
For Joscelyn, boxing transcends competitors—it’s private. Honoring her grandmother, a breast most cancers survivor, she wears customized trunks with a breast most cancers ribbon at nationwide occasions, donning pink socks in Pueblo as a tribute.
“Every time I step into the ring, I carry my grandmother’s energy,” she says, her voice stuffed with emotion.
“I’m centered,” Joscelyn declares. “I’m right here to win gold. Whoever steps into the ring with me will face my greatest effort, no matter measurement, stature, or nationality.”
Because the World Boxing U19 Championships method, Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz stands on the point of realizing her desires. Together with her stepdad’s assist and her grandmother’s spirit, she’s ready to go away the whole lot within the ring. Her combat isn’t only for herself—it’s for household, heritage, and future.
