Jajaira Gonzalez left boxing after missing out on the Rio Olympics. She fought her way back to Paris

U.S. Olympic boxer Jajaira Gonzalez, left, spars with teammate Jennifer Lozano while head coach Billy Walsh looks on at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 14, 2024. Eight years after Gonzalez narrowly missed out on qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Games, she revived her boxing career and earned an Olympic berth in Paris.

U.S. Olympic boxer Jajaira Gonzalez, left, spars with teammate Jennifer Lozano while head coach Billy Walsh looks on at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 14, 2024. Eight years after Gonzalez narrowly missed out on qualification for the Rio de Janeiro Games, she revived her boxing career and earned an Olympic berth in Paris. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)


3 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jajaira Gonzalez will fight for the U.S. Olympic boxing team in Paris eight years after she narrowly missed out on a spot in Rio de Janeiro as a teenage prodigy. She left boxing for about four years in the interim while she navigated anxiety, depression, a high-profile relationship, a brief Army stint and a general lack of direction familiar to anyone who missed out on their greatest dream. Gonzalez got back in the gym about three years ago and fought her way onto the Olympic team with a fortunate change in weight class and a determination to seize her dream.

Photos

Most recent Olympics stories

Related topics

OlympicsNational Sports
Greg Beacham
    KSL.com Beyond Series

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button