Atheyna Bylon: the giant of San Miguelito

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Atheyna Bylon: The San Miguelito Giant Who Took Central American Women’s Boxing to the Top

May 27, 2025

By: Yanny Figuero, CCS Correspondent.- When Atheyna Bylon stepped onto the Olympic podium in Paris 2024 with the Panamanian flag and the silver medal hanging around her neck, she made a difference. At 36 years old, this boxer born in the working-class heart of San Miguelito not only made history for her country; she became a continental synonym for tenacity, empowerment, and strength.

In 2025, her legacy continues to be recognized. During the Panama Olympic Committee’s Olympic Gala, organized by TVMAX on May 23, the Panamanian was honored as an “Elite Athlete of the Olympic Cycle,” celebrating her athletic performance, social impact, and her role as a role model for new generations of athletes in the Caribbean and Central America.

A Meteoric Rise

Unlike many high-performance figures, Atheyna began boxing at 24, an age at which many are already thinking about retirement. However, in that late decision, she found her true calling. With a blend of military discipline—she was part of the Panamanian National Police—and innate determination, she devoted herself completely to her new passion.

“I think you set obstacles for yourself,” she reflects. “I try not to see anything as an obstacle in my life. The hardest thing has been the sacrifice of being away from my family,” she expressed.

History with Every Punch

From her first fights on the international circuit, Bylon showed that her talent was unique. In 2014, just four years after starting boxing, she became world champion in Jeju, South Korea, an unprecedented achievement for a Panamanian woman in Olympic boxing. Eight years later, at Turkey 2022, she established herself as world runner-up, proving that she was not a promise but a reality.

But it was at Paris 2024 that she reached the pinnacle of her career: an Olympic silver medal that not only elevates her name but also represents one of the most important milestones in women’s sports in Central America. “Paris represents the sacrifice, the perseverance, and the discipline I had to maintain for many years to achieve the goal of bringing an Olympic medal to my country,” she declares.

Atheyna Bylon Beyond the Ring

For Atheyna, representing Panama transcends sports: “It means proudly wearing the colors of your nation and being an ambassador of Panamanian talent and culture on the world stage. It means inspiring others to follow their dreams.”

Her impact breaks barriers in a discipline traditionally dominated by men. Therefore, her message to the new generations of female boxers is powerful and necessary: “It’s never too late to fulfill your dreams and goals. With sacrifice, everything is possible.”

Eyes on Los Angeles 2028

Far from thinking about retirement, Atheyna is already working with her sights set on her fourth Olympic Games. “I want to go to Los Angeles 2028 and bring back another medal for my country,” she affirms. With the maturity of someone who has faced rivals, criticism, injuries, and family distances, her goal isn’t just competitive: it’s a declaration of continuity, purpose, and resilience.

Balancing her personal life with the demands of high-performance sport has been part of her growth process. “There’s time for everything. With organization and discipline, anything is possible, and with the support of your family,” she asserts.

Bylon, a continental inspiration

Bylon is a pioneer, leader, and symbol of the transformative power of sport. From the Caribbean to the Olympic rings, she is responsible for breaking molds and changing the course of history.

In Rio 2016, she placed ninth, then in Tokyo 2020, she climbed to fifth, thus getting closer to her dream podium.

Today, as he prepares for new challenges, his legacy is already written in golden letters in the history of Central American sport. “Competing always gives me the opportunity to demonstrate my dedication, effort, and discipline,” he emphasizes.