Discrimination, the round toughest on my route to the Olympics: Citlali Ortiz
▲ The boxer assures that the Parisian summer event will be a real challenge, but she will put all her efforts into getting a medal when she participates in the 75 kilogram category. She is the first Mexican to obtain a place in that division. Photo Conade
Adriana Diaz Reyes
La Jornada Newspaper
Friday, June 28, 2024, p. a10
On social media, Citlali Ortiz is known as Bellatrixa name whose etymological meaning is warrior woman. And she couldn’t have had a nickname that defined her better.
The boxer is the first Mexican woman to obtain an Olympic place in the 75 kilogram category, where she will seek a medal for the country.
Being part of the delegation that will compete in Paris means a lot to me, boxing is a traditional discipline in Mexico, it has a lot of recognition from the people and if you do it well you can become an idol, he commented to The Day the athlete.
Ortiz represented the United States, the country where he was born, for some years; and although with the stars and stripes flag she even achieved a youth world medal, she decided to wear the green, white and red towards Paris.
The first reason I decided to do it was because there was discrimination there. If you beat a champion, they gave her her place, regardless of whether you were better. Also, although there seem to be more resources and facilities, she did not have much financial support. Since I started representing them I had four jobs to cover the expenses. On the other hand, in Mexico I received support from my time as a national team; I never had a problem traveling or staying for any of my competitions, she shared.
25 years after the first women’s professional fight in Mexico, the athlete celebrates the growth that the discipline has had in recent decades.
“It is a pleasure that more and more women are getting involved in this sport, something that did not happen before. We have At Barbie’s Juárez, Jackie Nava and many more. One of my goals, taking them as an example, is to leave the message that we can practice any sport that we are passionate about and for which we have talent.”
Ortiz fought five professional fights, although his adventure was not entirely satisfactory.
I practically had to pay for them to fight against me, I had no agent and I only spent money to have a rival and without profit. I had to put in extra hours at work to cover expenses and I decided to quit. It was then that my father suggested that I return to amateurism to try again to fulfill my dream. I put in all my effort and with the help of my entire family I was able to get my ticket.
At the Olympic level, women’s boxing appeared as an exhibition in 1904, but it was not until London 2012 when it was competed formally. Since then, four Mexican boxers have qualified. Esmeralda Falcón and Brianda Cruz in Tokyo 2020 and for the fair in Paris Ortiz and Fátima Herrera (-50 kg) will represent our country.
We also deserve to be in the Games, there is a level to be among the best.
Sinuous road
Although his usual residence is in California, Ortiz speaks perfect Spanish, a product of his parents’ pride in being Mexican.
There are some athletes who can’t even say hello, but the first thing I did was learn to speak and write in Spanish. My parents passed on that love for Mexico to me and, even though they are now residents, they are very happy that I have achieved the goal of competing under their flag.
Ortiz was overweight since she was a child; it was her father, Cipriano, who encouraged her to put on the gloves.
When I started fighting, I changed weight classes a lot. I played with my body a lot and that took its toll on my health. I even fainted from not eating. Fortunately, I found a doctor who helped me to stop fighting the battle against my weight.
The selected one is trained by her father, who even put aside his personal goals to accompany her in the Olympic dream.
My dad finished his degree and worked for many years until he decided to prepare me and dedicated himself fully to that. He has always been in my corner and as I remember in 10 years he has only missed my fights twice. He has currently resumed his job, because he is saving a lot to be able to accompany me to Paris. I also have a lot to thank his partner, because since I started he has always been there for me financially and morally.
The boxer will finish her preparation at the National Talent Detection Centre (CNAR) and will travel to the Olympic venue a few days before her debut.
Paris is going to be a real challenge. I don’t want to anticipate that I’m going to win a medal, but I’m going to give my all to achieve it.
Mexican boxing will be represented in Paris by Ortiz, Herrera and Marco Verde (71 kg) and Miguel Ángel Martínez (63.5 kg).
2024-06-28 08:56:39
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