The Coastal Bend region recently celebrated remarkable success at the USA Boxing National Championships in Lafayette, LA, as two young boxers from the area clinched national titles, bringing pride and recognition to their hometowns.
Analee Valadez, an 11-year-old from Rockport, TX, emerged as an intermediate 80 lbs. division champion. Training under the guidance of Jordan Pinney at Elite Fitness 361 in Ingleside, TX, Analee has been boxing for a couple of years. Her victory at the national level was a culmination of hard work and dedication, leaving her and her family overjoyed. “Speechless. Real speechless,” expressed Juan Valadez, Analee’s father, reflecting on his daughter’s achievement. Analee’s triumph was especially significant for her hometown, which celebrated by organizing a parade featuring Analee and her brother, also a boxer, riding around town in a fire truck. This gesture recognized her hard work in a sport not typically highlighted at the school level.
Analee’s journey in boxing has been transformative, not just in terms of her athletic skills but also in her personal development. Her father noted a positive change in her behaviour since she started boxing, marking a shift from her earlier struggles with anger.
Across the bay, another young boxer from the Coastal Bend made her mark. Lailah Crenshaw, training at London Fitness under the Robstown Boxing Club, won the National Championship in the Bantam 70 lbs. division. Like Analee, this was Lailah’s first national title, achieved within just a year and a half of starting boxing. Her coach, Robert Vela, highlighted her resilience and dedication, overcoming personal challenges to compete nationally.
Lailah’s commitment to boxing is evident in her rigorous training routine, often sacrificing personal events and family vacations to focus on her sport. Boxing runs in her family, and her passion for the sport is deeply ingrained. Vela praised her unique dedication, emphasizing how exceptional it is for a young girl to show such love for boxing.
Interestingly, Analee and Lailah are not just champions in their respective categories, but they also know each other as sparring partners. Their shared training sessions helped prepare them for the national championships, where they emerged as winners in different weight classes. This connection adds another layer to their stories, illustrating the tight-knit community within the boxing world.
Analee and Lailah share the ultimate dream of competing in the Olympics, a goal they diligently work towards while training for upcoming matches in 2024. Their achievements at such a young age are personal victories and inspire other young athletes in Coastal Bend and beyond.
Their success at the USA Boxing National Championships is a testament to the talent and determination emerging from the Coastal Bend region. It underscores the importance of nurturing young athletes and providing them with the platforms and opportunities to excel in their chosen sports. For Analee and Lailah, their journey in boxing is just beginning, with their eyes set on bigger stages and more challenging competitions. Their stories resonate with the spirit of perseverance and dedication, setting a positive example for young sports enthusiasts everywhere.