A woman who graduated from Pasadena High School and attended Rice University may be the first female to represent the U.S. in the Olympic Games as a boxer.
Marlen Esparza is the first flyweight female boxer to win the U.S. Olympic team trials and her next step will be to take part in the International Olympic qualifying competition in May. If she qualifies, Esparza will be part of the first group of females to compete as boxers in the Summer Olympic Games.
Marlen Esparza, Six Time USA Boxing Champ, Wants to Make History at 2012 Olympics
Esparza, who began her boxing career in 2002, won a bronze medal during the 2006 World Championships and a gold medal as part of the 2008 Pan American Games. She has won the national championship every year since 2006.
As part of her preparation for the qualifying competition, Esparza worked out Monday evening at Fellowship of the Nations church on Woodforest Boulevard.
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