“The dream of every athlete is to be an Olympian”, these were the words of Mexican boxer Fátima Herrera, during a conversation for Centro Caribe Sports in its Huellas project.

The interaction that took place during the preparation base prior to the Olympic Games, Herrera told about her beginnings in this sport, as well as each process she has had to go through to get to Paris 2024.

She began her love for boxing at a very young age, watching her brother practice and starting her career at the age of seven.

With 15 years of experience with the sport she carries in her blood, the Mexican boxer got her Olympic pass last June, at the World Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, defeating Canadian McKenzie Wrigth, in the minus 50 kg (-50 kg) category.

Herrera, born in San Luis Potosi, at the age of 19 said she wanted to take part in the Olympic Games representing Mexico, and at the age of 22, her dream will come true in Paris 2024.

The fighter confessed how her family has been an unconditional support in her career, mainly her mother, who has always supported her.

PREPARATION FOR PARIS

With a view to the Olympic Games, the Aztec fighter has a strict training schedule, where she practices twice from Monday to Saturday for an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the type of training she will have.

This “cap” is done together with Citlalli Ortiz, teammate in the minus 75 kilograms (-75 kg) category, in order to exceed their expectations in the Parisian event that opens this Friday, July 26.

We have had several training camps in Europe and Asia, we have been able to adapt to Olympic style boxing, as well as American, European and Asian styles,” explained Abel Vargas Valencia, coach of the Mexican boxing team, who was also part of the conversation.

Vargas Valencia also commented that in the Games they are not going with the idea of being triumphalist, but to go to defend fight by fight, indicating that in Paris 2024 will be the best athletes of this sport, by the way they achieved their qualification.

He also added during the interview, that any boxer can win or lose the first fight, so you can not make mistakes to keep the Olympic dream alive.

CITLALLI ORTIZ AND HER OLYMPIC FOOTPRINTS

Living up to her nickname, like a true warrior, Citlalli “BellaTrix” Ortiz, won the last Olympic berth to Paris 2024, after defeating Nigeria’s Patricia Adanma Epelle Mbata, in the Second World Qualifier last June.

After a conversation at the Panam Sports camp in Mulhouse, France, the regional organization was able to talk to the Mexican athlete.

“After so many years of dedication, I sacrificed a lot of things, but somehow it was worth it because I achieved my dream,” said Ortiz, her nostalgia contagious.

The boxer born in the United States, but competing for the Mexican team, after not getting her ticket to the Pan American Games in Santiago 2023, never gave up and in Thailand she did.

”This is showing how hard I worked for it, and how important it was for me to achieve my qualification,” Ortiz confessed.

In addition, the boxer highlighted how she shared this Olympic event with Fatima, defining this experience “as something very significant for both of us”, and how her footprints put Mexican women’s boxing on the map.

Boxing competes from Saturday, July 27 at the Paris North Arena during the preliminary phase, and will move in the Quarterfinals to the Roland Garros stadium.

_{^{Written by Helen Acevedo}}

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