Tag Archives: Heaven Garcia

amateur boxing, USA Boxing, women's boxing

Los Angeles flyweight Heaven Garcia Fighting for another gold medal at Summer Youth Olympic Games   Buenos Aires 2018

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Heaven can’t wait….
 
 
Oct. 6-18 in Argentina
 
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 2, 2018) — Los Angeles flyweight Heaven Garcia is on a mission to become only the third American boxer, second female, to capture gold medals at the Youth World Championships and upcoming Youth Olympics during the same year, joining Shakur Stevenson and Jajairia Gonzales, who both accomplished this rare feat in 2014.
 

 

The Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 will be held Oct. 6-18 at Parque Polidesportivo Roca in Argentina.

 

 

Garcia explained that her unusual first name is the result of her father being told he could never have children and upon her birth, he felt it was a miracle, aptly naming her, Heaven.

 

 

 

 

Heaven started boxing when she was eight. “After a week,” Garcia said, “I fell in love with boxing. I never played any other sports.

 

 

 

“My short-range goal in boxing is to win my second gold medal at the Youth Olympics.   Long-range is to qualify and win a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics, and then turn pro and become world champion.”

 

 

 

The 18-year-old Garcia, who was a 2015 Junior World Champion, avenged her quarterfinal loss to Kazakhstan’s Zhansaya Abdraimova at last year’s Youth World Championships, winning the rematch with a 3-2 decision in the semifinals of the 2018 Youth World Championships final.  Garcia picked up her second World title with her 4-1 split decision victory over India’s Anamika

 

 

 

Garcia doesn’t consider herself a pure boxer or devastating puncher, at least at this stage of her relatively young boxing career. “I’m a fighter who goes forward,” she noted. “I pressure my opponent, go to the body a lot, and hit her when the right spot is there.”

 

 

 

Garcia will be ending her youth career at this month’s Youth Olympics, after which she will move up to become an Elite boxer. “I feel I’m ready for the Elites,” Heaven remarked. “Every step I take is to progress.

 

 

 

“I’ve had a good year,” she admitted. (she also won a gold medal at this year’s Youth Continental Championships) “I’ve also traveled to Taiwan, Hungary and now Argentina.”

 

 

 

Heaven can’t wait to capture her third gold medal at a 2018 International tournament.

 

 

 

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amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Garcia and Stevens Close Out 2018 Youth World Championships with Wins

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Team USA leaving Budapest with 4 medals

BUDAPEST, Hungary (August 31, 2018) — The final day of the 2018 Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary was another golden day for Team USA, as both Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.) and Asa Stevens (Waianae, Hawaii) won the female and male flyweight titles..

 

 

 

Stevens began the final day of boxing in the first bout against 2018 European Champion Ivan Price of England. Leading up to this showdown, Stevens and the USA Boxing coaching staff worked on a plan that would result in victory.

 

 

 

“The past three days we were creating a game plan of keeping distance and doing a lot of faints,” said Stevens after his gold medal performance. “I feel like we utilized it very well and that is how I got the win.”

 

 

 

The flyweight boxed a total of five times through the 11-day tournament, which included a split decision win over Patrick Clancy (Ireland), unanimous decision wins over Ibrahim Boukedim (France) and Samandar Kholmurodov (Uzbekistan), as well as a split decision win over Bhavesh Kattimani (India) in the semifinals. His unanimous decision victory today over Price earned him his first World Championship title and the first youth flyweight title since Shakur Stevenson in 2014.

 

 

 

“This means a lot, no words can really explain how I feel,” stated Stevens. “This is the best feeling in the world.”

 

 

 

Garcia picked up her second World Championships title to add to her 2015 Junior World Championship title with her 4-1 split decision victory over India’s Anamika.

 

 

 

“My game plan was to use my jab and use that as a key,” said Garcia. “I wanted to also work in the body shots and wear her down with those and plenty of combinations.”

 

 

 

Like her teammate, Garcia boxed a total of five days in a grueling bracket that included three bouts in a row. Her victories included a split decision over Hatice Akbas (Turkey) in the opening round, unanimous decision wins over Rinka Kinoshita (Japan) and Simran Kaur (England), as well as her rematch with Zhanssaya Abdaimova (Kazakhstan) by split decision in the semifinals.

 

 

 

Garcia’s win today adds her to a list of female American boxers that have won multiple amateur world titles that includes JaJaira Gonzalez and Claressa Shields. Garcia is the first American to win both a junior and youth world title since Gonzalez did so in 2013 and 2014/2015. Garcia will also look to join Gonzalez in the record books with a win at this October’s Youth Olympics.

 

 

 

“This win feels great because it was harder than my first title in 2015,” continued Garcia. “Everyone is older and more experienced at this level, and I worked very hard to get to the top spot.”

 

 

 

Following the conclusion of the tournament, Augie Sanchez (Las Vegas, Nev.), Team USA’s Head National Junior and Youth Coach, was awarded Best Coach of the Tournament honors, while Isamary Aquino (Universal City, Texas) was awarded her bronze medal during the medal ceremonies.

 

 

 

“I am very happy with the team,” said Sanchez at the end of the competition. “It was the whole staff that made this happen, and I am happy how our team performed overall.”

 

 

 

Team USA will begin their return home tomorrow with a total of three gold medals and one bronze after ten intense days of boxing. This year’s tournament brought over 350 boxers from over 50 countries from around the World. Joining Sanchez in the boxers corners throughout the tournament were assistant coaches Timothy Back (Cincinnati, Ohio), Eliza Olson (Redwood, Calif.) and Rosario Solis (Irving, Texas).

 

 

 

Team USA Results

51 kg: Heaven Garcia, El Monte, Calif./USA, dec. over Anamika/IND, 4-1

52 kg: Asa Stevens, Waianae, Hawaii/USA, dec. over Ivan Price/ENG, 5-0

 

 

 

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amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Team USA Advances 3 to Youth World Championships Finals

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Isamary Aqunio Wins Bronze

BUDAPEST, Hungary (August 28, 2018) – On the eighth day of competition at the 2018 Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Team USA advanced three boxers to the championship bouts, while Isamary Aquino(Universal City, Texas) picked up her second Youth World Championships bronze medal.

 

 

 

Flyweight Asa Stevens (Waianea, Hawaii) started the Americans off on a winning note with a 3-2 win over Bhavesh Kattimani of India to advance to the championship bout. Stevens will be looking to become the first flyweight Youth World Champion for Team USA since Shakur Stevenson won in 2014 when he steps into the ring on Friday against England’s Ivan Price, the 2018 European Champion.

 

 

 

2015 Junior World Champion Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.) revenged her quarterfinal loss to Kazakhstan’s Zhansaya Abdraimova at last year’s Youth World Championships by taking the rematch with a 3-2 decision. Garcia will join Stevens on the second day of finals, as she will face Anamika Urang of India, the 2018 Asian Confederation silver medalist.

 

 

 

The third American to advance to the finals, Iyana Verduzco (Los Angeles, Calif.), continued her impressive World Championships debut with a 4-1 victory over Aycan Guldgai of Turkey. Verduzco will be the first member of Team USA to box in the finals, as she will take on Aizada Yeslyamgali, the 2018 Asian Confederation silver medalist, on Thursday.

 

 

 

Aqunio, the final member of Team USA to box in the semifinals, fell short of advancing to the championship bouts against Sakshi of India. This marks Aquino’s second Youth World Championships bronze medal after taking home the bronze at last year’s Youth World Championships.

 

 

 

Team USA will leave these World Championships with four medals total and have been under the leadership of National Junior and Youth Coach Augie Sanchez(Las Vegas, Nev.) throughout this tournament, with Timothy Back (Cincinnati, Ohio), Eliza Olson (Redwood, Calif.) and Rosario Solis (Irving, Texas) serving as assistant coaches.

 

 

 

You can follow all of the action from the championship bouts by clicking here.

 

 

 

Team USA Results

51 kg: Heaven Garcia, El Monte, Calif./USA, dec. over Zhanssaya Abdaimova/KAZ, 3-2

 

 

52 kg: Asa Stevens, Waianea, Hawaii/USA, dec. over Bhavesh Kattimani/IND, 3-2

 

 

54 kg: Iyana Verduzco, Los Angeles, Calif./USA, dec. over Aycan Guldagi/TUR, 4-1

 

 

57 kg: Sakshi/IND, dec. over Isamary Aquino, Universal City, Texas/USA, 5-0

 

 

INFORMATION:

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amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing, women's boxing

USA Boxing Announces Four Boxers to Compete at Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018

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Boxing at Youth Olympics set to begin Oct. 14

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 2, 2018 – USA Boxing announced today the four boxers who were nominated to represent the United States at the Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee. The Youth Olympic Games will be held Oct. 6-8, with the boxing competition to take place Oct. 14-18 in Argentina.

 

 

 

Following the 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships and 2018 Youth Continental Championships, two men and two women have been nominated for the prestigious competition. The team will be comprised of Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.), Otha Jones III (Toledo, Ohio), Roma Martinez (Humble, Texas) and Harley Mederos (New York, N.Y.).

 

 

 

“We’ve got a great group of young talent representing Team USA at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires,” said USA Boxing High Performance Director Matt Johnson on the nominated boxers. “Each one has good international experience, having participated in a junior or youth world championships over the past few years. That experience will be key as they face some of the world’s best up and coming boxers this October.”

 

 

 

Garcia has been on the international scene since her impressive World Championships debut in 2015, where she became the Junior World Champion. The bantamweight represented Team USA at the 2017 Youth World Championships in Guwahati, India before clinching her spot to Argentina with her winning performance at the 2018 Youth Continental Championships this May. She is a two-time USA Boxing Youth National Champion, and currently has a record of 53-7.

 

 

 

Garcia described being able to represent the United States at the Youth Olympics as “amazing.” “Knowing that only four boxers are nominated, and I was one of them is a very huge accomplishment for me,” she stated.

 

 

 

“Being able to represent my country at the Youth Olympics is something I have worked hard for and now that I get the opportunity, I will be sure to work even harder to bring home that gold medal.”

 

 

 

Light welterweight Jones III solidified his position on Team USA by winning gold at the 2018 Youth Continental Championships. Jones III will be looking to add his third international medal in 2018 at these Games, after his silver medal performance earlier this year at the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria. Jones, who has a record of 267-11, is also the 2017 USA Boxing Youth National Champion, as well as a member of the 2015 Junior World Championships team.

 

 

 

“Not only is it an honor to represent Team USA in a huge tournament such as the Youth Olympics, I am pleased to represent my family as well,” stated Jones III.

 

 

 

“I grew up in the boxing gym. My family owns a gym, Soul City Gym, and all my brothers and sisters were brought up in the gym to show kids a better way to live than violence and making it this far will help me show that even more.”

 

 

 

Martinez was the sole American to qualify from the 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships last November. The featherweight was the 2016 USA Boxing Youth National Champion and 2017 USA Boxing Youth National Championship silver medalist. The Youth Olympic Games will be Martinez’s first international tournament of 2018, where she will be looking for her first international medal.

 

 

 

“When I received the notification that I was nominated for the Youth Olympic Games, I felt resurrected,” said Martinez. “I have experienced a few devastating life losses in the past six months, and was feeling confused about my future in the sport,” she explained.

 

 

 

“However, when I was contacted about this amazing opportunity, my vision became clear, my mind focused and my heart determined to take this opportunity not only for myself, but for every person who hoped and dreamed for a chance like this. I plan to take on this journey to Argentina with me; my faith, my boxing skills and a quote from my late teammate: ‘a boxers favorite scripture – it is better to give than to receive.”

 

 

 

Mederos is the final member of Team USA to be nominated for the Youth Olympic Games. The lightweight won bronze at the 2015 Junior World Championships prior to his transition to the youth division. Mederos is the 2017 Youth National Champion and earned his place to Buenos Aires following his impressive gold medal winning performance at the 2018 Youth Continental Championships.

 

 

 

“It feels amazing to be able to go to Argentina and represent my country in what I love to do most and get the chance to showcase my talent in front of everyone,” stated Mederos.

 

 

 

“I can guarantee you, the best Harley you’ve ever seen, both physically and mentally, will go out there and do the best that I can do and make everyone proud.”

 

 

 

All four boxers will return to Colorado Springs in July to begin training for the Youth Olympics. Garcia, Jones and Mederos will use the 2018 Youth World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August as a tuneup leading to the event before heading to Argentina in late September.

 

 

 

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amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Finale of 2018 Youth Continental Championships is Golden for Team USA

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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO (May 31, 2018) – The final night of the 2018 Youth Continental Championships saw the American delegation collect seven gold medals and three silvers, making their final medal count 11 golds, three silvers and one bronze at the week-long tournament that took place at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

 

 

Two highlights of the championships included light heavyweight Alexis Espino (Las Vegas, Nev.) and heavyweight David Stevens (Reading, Pa.) winning their second international title of 2018 by first-round knockouts. Espino took the gold over Puerto Rico’s Jancarmelo Nieves, while Stevens collected the title with his knockout against Andrews Salgado of Chile.

 

 

 

 

The final two females to box, bantamweight Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.) and lightweight Isamary Aquino (San Antonio, Texas), defeated Emilia Dermott of Canada and Jennifer Yazmin Carrillo of Mexico, respectfully, to add two gold medals to the four the women’s team won on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

The final three gold medals were picked up by lightweight Harley Mederos (New York, N.Y.), light welterweight Otha Jones III (Toledo, Ohio) and super heavyweight Drake Banks (Homosassa, Fla.). The trio defeated their opponents by unanimous decisions to give Team USA the top team of the tournament.

 

 

 

 

This week’s tournament brought 14 different countries to Olympic City USA looking to qualify to the Youth Olympic Games and Youth World Championships, both taking place later this year. Team USA was led by Junior and Youth National Team Head Coach Augie Sanchez (Las Vegas, Nev.), with Timothy Back (Cincinnati, Ohio), Nora Lopez (Richmond, Texas), Eliza Olson (Redwood City, Calif.) and Chadrick Wigle (Colorado Springs, Colo.) served as assistant coaches throughout the week.

 

 

 

 

Click here for complete results. https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing/Youth-Continental-Championships

 

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

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amateur boxing, boxing, women's boxing

Citlalli Ortiz Wins Welterweight Youth World Championship Title

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Isamary Aquino Brings Home Bronze Medal

GUWAHATI, India (November 26, 2017) — Coachella, California-native Citlalli Ortiz closed out her impressive 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships campaign with a split decision victory over Russia’s Nataliya Sychugova to take her first major international title in Guwahati, India.
“Today feels like one of the best days of my life,” stated Ortiz following her win. “After the fight, I doubted myself, but I am extremely happy I pulled out the win and it feels amazing being a world champion.”
Ortiz gold medal closes out a strong showing from the young American delegation. Team USA’s other medal, a bronze, was won yesterday by Isamary Aquino of Universal City, Texas.
“I am extremely proud of my performance at my first international tournament,” said Aquino following her medal ceremony. “It was an honor to be able to represent Team USA and bring home a world championship medal.”
The remaining members of the team included: Aidyl Cardenas (Calexico, Calif.),Diana Estrada (Hillsboro, Oregon), Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.), Roma Martinez (Humble, Texas), Sharahaya Moreu (Albuquerque, N.M.) and Amy Salinas(Las Cruces, N.M).
This year’s Youth World Championships brought 160 of the world’s top youth female boxers from 36 different countries all vying for one of the 10 world titles up for grabs. Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and assistant coaches Kay Koroma (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jeff Mays (San Antonio, Texas) guided Team USA throughout these championships. The boxers and staff of USA Boxing will begin their journey back home to the United States tomorrow.
Team USA Results:
69 kg: Citlalli Ortiz, Coachella, Calif./USA, dec. over Nataliy Sychugova/RUS, 3-2
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Citlalli Ortiz Grabs First Win of Women’s Youth World Championships

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Team USA finishes 1-1 on second day; six Americans to enter ring today
GUWAHATI, India (Nov. 21, 2017) — Day two of the 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships in Guwahati, India brought two members of Team USA into the ring looking to advance one step closer to a world title.
Welterweight Citlalli Ortiz (Coachella, Calif.) grabbed Team USA’s first win of the championships with a split decision victory over Nadezhda Ryabets of Kazakhstan. She will return to the ring on Wednesday, Nov. 22 for a quarterfinals match-up against
The second American in today’s field, middleweight Sharahya Moreu (Albuquerque, N.M.), fell short of taking the judges card over Russian Anastasiia Shamonova.
Tomorrow the remaining six members of Team USA will make their tournament debut, including 2015 Junior World Champion Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.) The other five boxers will all be making their international debuts.
Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Kay Koroma (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jeff Mays (San Antonio, Texas) are guiding the American delegation in India. This year’s tournament has brought 160 boxers from 31 different countries looking to take one of the ten World titles up for grabs.
Continue to follow USA Boxing on social media for more coverage of the tournament.
Team USA Results:
69 kg: Citlalli Ortiz, Coachella, Calif./USA dec. over Nadezhda Ryabets/KAZ, 4-1
75 kg: Anastasiia Shamonova/RUS dec. over Sharahaya Moreu, Albuquerque, N.M./USA, 5-0
Tomorrow’s Schedule
48 kg: Amy Salinas, Las Cruces, N.M./USA vs.Gloria D’almeida/FRA
51 kg: Heaven Garcia, El Monte, Calif./USA vs. Chaewon Kim/KOR
54 kg: Isamary Aquino, Universal City, Texas/USA vs. Kateryna Rohova/UKR
57 kg: Roma Martinez, Humble, Texas/USA vs. Emily Mauermann/GER
60 kg: Diana Estrada, Hillsboro, Oregon/USA vs. Fatia Benmessahel/FRA
64 kg: Aidyl Cardenas, Calexico, Calif./USA vs. Khongorzul Batbold/MGL
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