Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Wisconsin for the Win!!

I'm very proud to announce that it was a most successful trip to the 2019 National Golden Gloves - Tournament of Champions. I traveled South to Chattanooga with a band of skilled and dedicated warriors. Our leader on this raid for the win was legendary prairie pugilist Andrea Nelson. For months I have spent time both photographing and training under this amazing Coach. Her craftsmanship at honing the best from athlete Briana Hendricks Che has been a thing to behold. her team fielded five boxers in all. Three of them made it the Semi-finals and one made it to the Finals, which she soundly and skillfully won. It was a display of precise boxing technique combined with athletic physical prowess. Not only was it a personal win for them both but it was also a Victory set within a much larger historical context. This win's significance goes way beyond the confines of the ring.

2019 National Golden Gloves - Tournament of Champions

So many Firsts. The First National win for Wisconsin in 12 years. The First female boxer to win from Wisconsin. The First female Head Coach & franchise President. The First year of this newly re-minted Wisconsin Golden Gloves franchise. The First win for the new franchise. My First time being invited up onto the apron.

2019 National Golden Gloves - Tournament of Champions

I'm telling you! I think I'm dreaming. I must be. As to how I got THE shot.

2019 National Golden Gloves - Tournament of Champions

After days of just shooting the team's bouts from UNDER the ropes I was approached by the parenting Golden Gloves of America organization. It was Friday Night and I was working my butt off covering our boxers when I was invited to cover more of the main event the next night. I was offered to not only get onto the apron of the ring, but up onto the main judges stage. It's like I too had my bouts, made it through the qualifiers, killed it during the Semi's, and then took the Championship at the end. I got the shot I needed. I'm so fortunate to have been folded into such am amazing band of warriors.