These days in Valledupar, home of the Bolivarian Games, Íngrit Valencia looks calm and focused. She is not glued to her cell phone, writing or calling her house in the Hacienda la Reforma neighborhood, in Ibagué, worried as a woman of the home. “There has been a positive change in my life since last year,” the boxing bronze medalist in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and world runner-up in Istanbul announces with a smile, an achievement achieved just last May 20.
Valencia will dispute the gold of the 51-kilogram category after her 5-0 victory over Guatemalan Ailyn James, which gave her the silver medal for the time being. The big change in his life is that now, unlike the rest of the Colombian National Team, which does so in Bogotá, he trains in Ibagué, alongside his partner and helmsman, Raúl Ortiz.
(Be sure to read: Could Nacional lose the title if they confirm an arbitration error vs. Tolima?).
Why that decision?
We are a couple, but we are also professionals. He as a coach, I as an athlete and we decided it that way. I wanted to be close to my son and in Bogotá it was very difficult for me. I proposed to train in Ibagué, to dedicate ourselves to my sport, as if I were focused. I’m at home with my son and I do what I like, which is boxing.
Since when that decision?
After the Tokyo Olympics (it was fifth). I made that decision because I need Jhojan Estiven. He is a 16 year old boy. I’ve missed a lot and I want to be more aware of him. He is a young man who can be on a path that can go astray if he is not around his mom. I made that decision and the Colombian Boxing Federation and the Ministry of Sports supported me.
We see her looser in the ring, more creative…
Raúl, over time, has been learning a lot. I think he has perfected a lot of things in the work that we do. He knows me, he knows the rivals and he is very knowledgeable about international women’s boxing. This has made him learn more and perfect my boxing. I always say that we work on quality, not quantity. This has helped us to grow: him as a coach and me as an athlete.
Thinking of Paris 2024?
Yes. Although they tell me I’m old (33 years old), I think I’m going through the best moment of my sports career. I feel happy and very vigorous to continue working and give my best for Colombia.
(In indigence?: Henry Viáfara: revealing photo of the current state of the former Colombian National Team).
What did you do from May 20 to today?
We lower workloads. I did not rest, or rather, I had an active rest: I hit the bag, the gauntlet, without strong intensity. We review things. It is that we had five strong fights in the World Cup.
She won silver at the 2013 Trujillo Games and gold at Santa Marta 2017. What do you think of her rival in the final, the Dominican Miguelina Martínez?
Miguelina is a great boxer. She respects her boxing. It will be a very technical fight and may she win the best. I want this title to stay in Colombia.
Does professional boxing attract your attention?
I would be interested to know about that branch. It is an honor and pride for an Olympic and amateur medalist to set foot in professional boxing. But at my weight there are not many offers and people are not very interested, but if there is a proposal I would think about it, because I would like to do it.
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ESTEWIL QUESADA
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