POR: EDGARDO J. MEDINA MILLÁN
The first woman in Puerto Rican boxing to earn a spot in the Olympics.
The Corozal native, Ashleyann Lozada Matta, awaits the judges' decision. > Biggie's Photography / Edgardo Medina Millán
SANTIAGO, CHILE - October 25, 2023, will be engraved in the memory of the Puerto Rican people as a day of historic achievements and fulfilled dreams. In an exhilarating chapter of boxing, Ashleyann Lozada Matta, the courageous native of Corozal, achieved what seemed unattainable: a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ashleyann, with a gaze full of determination and a heart brimming with passion, confesses, "For me, it's like a dream come true. I had already visualized this victory, rehearsed my words, and dreamt of this moment. The Olympic pass was my destiny, and I have finally reached it."
Behind every champion is a story, an endless source of inspiration, and for Ashleyann, that source is her mother. In every interview, in every corner of the world, she speaks of the woman who means everything to her: "My mom is my reason for living. Besides my love for boxing, she is my greatest motivation in my career. She is my sports psychologist, my confidante before stepping into the ring. Her unwavering support has brought me to this point."
Life challenges us, tests us, makes us fall at times. Lozada Matta has experienced both sides of the coin, with the strength of a fighter and the grace of a champion. As she recounts, "I thought about it, achieved it, and envisioned it, and here I am." She also bravely shares that there was a moment in her life when she gave up. "I had given up before," she admits. She realized that her life would lack meaning if she didn't continue to fight for the dream that had kept her awake for entire nights.
Ashleyann has shown that dreams can be more powerful than any obstacle. She has traveled a path full of challenges and sacrifices, and today, she proudly stands as an example of overcoming and perseverance. She has lived on both ends of life, from the shadows of defeat to the heights of Mount Olympus, the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her story is a reminder that with passion, determination, and the support of loved ones, any dream is achievable. Ashleyann Lozada Matta is a symbol of hope, a beacon guiding all those who dare to pursue their dreams, reminding us that true power lies in believing in oneself and never giving up.
