Bien Hecho: Latina Boxers Eye The 2012 Olympics

As a Latina who enjoys boxing and martial arts in general myself, I have to give mad props to two Latina boxers recently featured on CNN. Cristina Cruz of New York and Marlen Esparza of Houston were recently featured on CNN’s documentary, “Latino in America 2: In Her Corner.” In our weekly segment, “Bien Hecho,” we note the good deeds and achievements of Latinos across the U.S. and Latin America. If you feel that someone you know is deserving of recognition, let us know at tips@newstaco.com.

The two young ladies are being portrayed as rivals as they both head towards the 2012 Olympic team, the first time women’s boxing will be an Olympic sport. A story by The New York Daily News about Cruz noted that she was thrust into boxing by a friend, but ended up loving it:

At the time, she was in her early 20s, “just getting by” while working a secretarial desk. Now the 28-year-old New York-born Puerto Rican trains full-time at DAS Fitness Center in Inwood and is focusing on making the Olympic team for the 2012 Summer Games in London – the first Olympics where women boxers will compete.

Esparza, meanwhile, has been a national champion and has her own sponsors, she’s 22 but has been boxing for 10 years, according to CNN:

…Esparza, a 22-year-old Texan of Mexican descent who was already a five-time national champion in the flyweight division coming into this year’s tournament.

Esparza is aware that her success represents more than a personal victory. “I feel like being a woman and Hispanic, and doing something well, would help us out as far as how people view us,” says Esparza, whose success has drawn sponsors like Coke, Nike and Cover Girl.

Too bad both young ladies can’t make the team, we wish them both luck and can’t wait to watch the Olympics and see one of them compete!