As the Paris Olympics 2024 is nearing, Spectators can feel the anticipation in the air. Athletes competing in various sports pour sweat and blood to clinch a spot at the upcoming Olympics. In the last Tokyo Olympics, USA’s women returned disappointed as no American Woman, Boxer, made it to win a gold medal. However, this year, USA’s boxing team’s elite boxer aims to bounce back brightening her family’s name in the boxing arena.

The boxer is the sister of Joet Gonzalez, a two-time world title challenger in the featherweight division. She has emerged victorious by clinching the first spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Her recent achievement also marks expectations to win gold in the Paris Olympics by the USA. 

First American to Qualify by Switching to Weight Division

Eight months after missing a spot on the National team, Jajaira Gonzalez qualified for the Olympics 2024 spot this Wednesday. Although she did not make it to the high-performance national team, she managed to represent the USA in boxing. In an Instagram post by USA Boxing it was captioned, ” Jajaira Gonzalez reacts to becoming the first team USA boxer to qualify for Paris 2024-on cloud nine.” Post the achievement, an emphatic Gonzalez said, “Being here at Pan American Games… just punching my tickets to Paris is totally a different feeling. I am so happy, so grateful, I am blessed, God is good. ” Her joy knew no bounds as she held a small replica of the Eiffel Tower while speaking.

The 26-year-old boxing sensation won her first two bouts in the Pan American Games’ quarterfinals and secured an Olympic berth. In the quarterfinals of the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Gonzalez defeated the opponent Rashida Ellis in the 60 kg division. The Tokyo Olympian and World Champion 2022 started in the 57 division this year but switched to 60kg. 

In an exclusive interview with USA Boxing, Jajaira Gonzalez said about the match, ” But I also feel fortunate for this opportunity. I was the No. 2 boxer at 57 kg. and was asked by USA Boxing to move up to 60 kg…I had the potential to move up and represent my country. I did have to compete against another boxer, and I won and a few days later was offered the spot at 60.”

The Epic Showdown

Fortunately, the decision taken by USA Boxing was beneficial for Gonzalez as she made it to the Olympics. Therefore, Jajaira became the first National Olympic Training Centre woman in a 60 bout to secure a 5-0 win over her opponent Camila Paola Pineiro Muino. She was several inches short of her opponent due to the height difference. However, the American Boxer owned the ring center and made the survival of her opponent difficult. 

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After the first round, the boxing legend returned aggressive as she defended the afterthought as both the boxers in the ring exchanged blows. Strategically, Gonzalez made an intelligent move in the third round as she landed punches and retreated from her opponent. Thus, she was able to secure a place at not only the semifinals of the event but also at the Olympics. 

Indeed, Gonzalez is keeping up with the high expectations of her fans. But the Pan American Games is ongoing, as she has qualified for the event’s semifinals. Nonetheless, she will be representing the USA in Paris 2024. But the question remains: Will she ultimately be able to clinch the ultimate glory for the USA?

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