My First Blog Post

You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.

— Muhammad Ali

Ever since I was a little girl, I was a bit defensive. Not to the extreme of actually hurting anyone but everyone knew not to mess with little Rikisha. Being the little girl of the family filled with boys had its ups and downs. I was never left out when it came to the boy fights but got messed with more due to the fact, I was the only girl. Growing up my dad saw that I had picked up a few tricks. My dad being an amateur boxer himself when he was younger, he was fascinated 

One Christmas morning everyone was opening their gifts. My brothers all received clothing and electronic items. When it came to my turn my father gave me a two bagged cereal box of Corn Flakes. I was upset about the gift I received. I took it to my room unopened and left it on the side of my bed. My dad came to room and asked me why I didn’t like my gift. I explained to him I didn’t want more cereal. We had just bought some that same week and it isn’t even the flavor I liked. He later snatched the box and teared it open. To my surprise in the box there was a pair of blue boxing gloves, and black wraps. I couldn’t believe my eyes; I had seen many men on TV use them but not in person. 

The summer of 2016 I was signed up to boxing at Boxing Avenue. It was a little boxing gym in Thornton Colorado with 8 students, but it was a good start. Seven of the students were boys and there was only one girl. I was the second girl to start that gym. Every day after school I would go to my practices. I was the best time of my life; I was able to make new friends and spare with most of the boys. The most memorable moments I had there was able to practice with my dad. He was my greatest supporter and by the third month of practicing I was selected to go to the Golden Gloves Competition. It was a different experience for me, and a bit uncomfortable when getting my weight checked. But it was worth it I won my first match, the exposer open so many doors for me. Delgado’s Boxing and Martial Arts, Gallegos Gym, and Champion Boxing invited me to their gyms. It was all going good until one day everything went downward. 

While practicing with a 100lbs Heavy Bag my right wrist slipped and I hurt broke it. It was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. Not even a punch on the nose hurt as much as that. Instead of going to the hospital right away I wrapped my wrist with extra wrap. I truly believed I just strained it. After a few more months of practicing I realized the pain wouldn’t go away. I decided to get it checked out. I came out of the hospital with a cast, and an order of physical therapy after the removal. I couldn’t continue doing what I loved.  I spent 2 years in physical therapy and had ok recovery.

I got the name Rikisha from family when I was younger because of the WWE fighter Rikishi. Being in boxing will forever be the best time of my life. It was an experience shaped me into the person I am today. It gave me the discipline I needed at the time and made me a calmer person. But the best moments it gave me is being able to connect with my father and it made us closer.  But getting hurt was just a little set back, I am better than ever.