Local Boxing Champ, Lisa Ha, has begun her trek to making national and international waves in the Boxing community with her recent performance at the 2011 Ringside World Championships.
The event is the largest international amateur boxing event held in the US, and competition this year was stacked. Though competition was top notch, Lisa pulled through with victory after victory and captured the title of 2011 Ringside World Champion.
"It was pretty exciting. I even went into the finals with a busted nose.It really tested my skill level. When you enter a competition like that, you are really putting yourself out there to actually test your skills and abilities."
Ha viewed competing with the best of the world, a win-win situation. Her coaches and trainers made it clear to her that there was no losing scenario. She used that knowledge to fuel her in her training and in her mental outlook on the fights.
Above all else she realizes that dedication and a great support system, will carry her further than she ever imagined. She attributes all of her success thus far, to those who have been there to guide her along the way.
Coaches such as Bruce Kawano, Stewart Okamura, and Team HMC.
Though she has a small window to enjoy victory, her dedication shines through, as she heads back to the gym to prepare for her next challenge. The next stop for Ha and her coaches will be the last National Tournament before the Olympic Trials.
This is the final place to showcase her ability and turn some heads before hopefully heading to Olympic proving grounds. Preparing for competition and pressure at this level may get inside of some boxer's heads, but Lisa has a strong and honest outlook.
"At this level it's not even the physical aspect. It's all about the mental. All of the girls I will be competing against are Champions. And they are Champions for a reason. They are relentless and they never give up. They just have that kind of mindset. So for me it's going to be the little things that make the difference.
I have to eat boxing, sleep boxing, breathe boxing. It's a lifestyle now. To fight on the level as these girls validates me, and as long as I trust myself and my coaches, I can go all the way."
A fundraiser will be held on Wednesday,September 28th at Pearl Ultra Lounge from 6pm-9pm to help support Lisa Ha and her Coaches as they make the trip to the next National Tournament and Olympic Trials.
