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ROSARIO UP-AND-CLOSE
BACKGROUND...
I have always enjoyed athletics. Track was
my passion for many years. I remember, when I was in elementary school,
entering a 50-yard dash on a football field. There were heaps of us kids
running down the field. I enjoyed the thrill of competition. My good
friend came in first and I was right behind her! After that, relays and
sprints and hurdles were my game. I ran cross-country only to keep in
shape. As I got older, I taught swimming and aerobics. Then I joined
Ninjutsu. My favorite part was sparring! After Ninjutsu, I found a cute
little gym called "Gaucho Gym." A professional kickboxer named Javier
Diez owned the gym and taught all the kickboxing classes. I started
taking kickboxing classes in the hopes of getting good enough to compete
and go as far as I could. Unfortunately, there is not very far to go in
kickboxing. I didn't want to turn pro; I wanted to go to the Olympics
and win the gold! I competed in kickboxing and really enjoyed it. Then,
to my and many others' dismay, Javier closed his gym. (Javier is a great
trainer and is currently teaching at "Bodies in Motion" in Southern
California.)
After Gaucho Gym closed, I went looking for a boxing trainer. I had
sparred at LA Boxing before so I went back there. My dream was still to
go to the Olympics. I felt I had a better chance of getting there in
boxing. LA Boxing was a serious boxing gym. I really liked it there. The
energy and excitement was all around you. Everyone was training: men,
women, pros and amateurs. I went through three boxing trainers before I
landed on the one I would stay with. All three were good coaches and
nice men. They each had something to teach me -- Dub Huntley (trainer of
Laila Ali) and Rudy & Victor Hernandez (trainers & brothers of Genaro "Chicanito"
Hernandez). They all had something special but I felt they were better
trainers for the pros. I needed someone who was used to training
amateurs and pros. Ben Lira from South El Monte was that coach for me. I
considered him not only a coach but a teacher as well. Not every coach
can teach. Ben had been training amateur (Olympic-style boxing) women
before I got there. He took his women boxers to the first Everlast US
National Championships in 1997. I have to say that Ben always gave 100%
and I am thankful for that.
I didn't get to go to a World Championships because, at the time, World
Championships did not exist. Nor did I get to go to the Olympics, since
they still have not put women's boxing in the Olympics! Hopefully, one
day soon they will. I did get to box in two Everlast US Nationals and in
two National Blue and Gold Tournaments. I have also boxed against the
Canadians three times -- once with my trainer and the other women I
trained with, and twice on the US Team. I am fortunate to have done all
that. Hopefully, the next generation will get to do so much more and
will be able to reach their dream of going to the Olympics! Just the
thought gives me goose bumps! I sure hope that I will be there in some
capacity -- as a coach, official or announcer!
I stopped boxing in 1999 due to eye surgery. I have been certified as a
Level 2 coach and a Level 2 official. I really enjoy refereeing. I still
can get a bit of the rush being in the ring! I also announce at shows
and boxing tournaments -- Women's Worlds, Nationals, and Men's
Nationals. Since I mostly volunteer, which I completely enjoy, I am
hoping to announce or commentate pro-boxing someday soon!
Being elected Athlete Representative is wonderful. I thought long and
hard if I wanted to take this job on, because I am not here to do this
half-way -- It's all or nothing. I represent the women and men athletes
in USA Boxing. I want to be on the board to help bring about changes, to
make a strong USA Boxing for the athletes, coaches, officials, doctors
and staff. We all make up the whole organization.
One of my other passions is doing what I can to bring awareness for
missing children and adults. Throughout this website you will see their
photos. Please take the time to look at the photos and go to their
websites.
One website I frequent often is Robert Cooke's www.rachelcookesearch.org.
His daughter, Rachel, is missing. Robert writes in a journal everyday. I
would highly recommend you reading his journal. I do.
Thank you for taking the time to read my bio. Please come back to my
website often. I would appreciate feedback and any suggestions you may
have. Don't forget to join in on the discussion boards!
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