Esmeralda Falcón is the first Mexican boxer in history to qualify for the Olympics

Last Updated on July 12, 2021 9:59 am by

Elite sport can be fickle and often athletes don’t get much attention for finishing second, that used to be the story of boxer Esmeralda Falcón, but her life changed in 2018 when she won the 60 kg boxing category title at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia. After the feat, she was finally offered the scholarship she needed to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021. “That medal changed my whole life because I had been part of the national team since 2014, but I had never been offered any kind of support before,” she told Milenio. “The scholarship gave me the facility to just study and train, because before I was also working.” “It also opened up expectations and realities, it made me believe more that I have a chance of making it to the Olympics, and that it only takes work and determination to achieve the goals.”

Mexico is synonymous with boxing.

The country has produced countless professional world champions, as well as Olympic champions such as Ricardo Delgado and Antonio Roldan (both at the 1968 Mexico Games). With a total of 13 medals, boxing is the second most successful sport in Mexican Olympic history. It is therefore surprising that, since the inclusion of women’s boxing in the Olympic program at London 2012, Mexico has had no female representation. Since its debut, the sport has grown, and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will have the largest female participation in boxing in history, with five weight categories, two more than in Rio 2016. It is also notable that, in Japan, Mexican female boxers appear to have their best chance for glory.

After a poor showing at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, Falcon and compatriot Brianda Cruz celebrated two bronze medals for Mexican boxing. Falcon believes that disorganization and lack of adequate funding for his sport at the local level were partly to blame for the disappointing results. “We are not going to aspire if they don’t give us preparation, decent international sparring,” the 25-year-old boxer told El Universal. “My federation, my coach Oscar Valdez, and my municipality (Xochimilco) were the ones who supported us because if not, we would not have representatives in this discipline”. She also received financial help from Mexican professional boxer Mariana ‘Barbie’ Juarez, who wanted to give her support to a future female star. Falcón and Cruz will have the opportunity to make history at the next continental Pre-Olympic.

First Mexican boxer in history to qualify for the Olympic Games

Boxer Esmeralda Falcón will be at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games after the commission appointed to organize the sport, Boxing Task Force, announced that the Mexican was designated a place to compete in the under-60 kg category. “To qualify for the Olympics is to achieve my dream, I want to be the first woman to be in the Olympic Games, and that would be making history, it would also be a thank you to my parents and my family for all the unconditional support they have given me and all the words of encouragement they have had with me at all stages of this process,” said Falcón, adding that, “I do not want to just go to participate in the Olympic Games, I want to be competitive and I want to fight for a medal. The preparation will continue here, I don’t think we will move, so I will continue to give my best every day and stay strong,” she mentioned.