In boxing, just like in life, if you fall down, you get back up again. Perhaps no one knows that better than 21-year-old Omari Jones. “I feel like I’ve been beaten so many times in my life, obviously not only in the ring, but outside the ring,” Jones says. “He had to overcome every hurdle in his life to make his dream come true.” Jones stepped into the ring at the age of eight and was still here 13 years later, as an Olympian. Ta. “Someone sent me the odds of an American becoming an Olympian, and it’s a very, very low number,” Jones says. “It’s like writing my own chapter in history right now to be named alongside all the great athletes who were Olympians before me and who are now Olympians.” Orlando Originally from Jones, he started boxing after practicing karate. He loved the contact and discipline that boxing provided. But it wasn’t until he was a teenager that he realized the sport was becoming more than just a hobby. “That’s when I started saying things like, ‘Okay, I’m going to go to the Olympics,'” Jones said. He began training two or three times a day, began competing in national competitions, and was considered a candidate to represent the United States. All of this happened when he was still in high school. “It was a sacrifice to pursue it for 13 years,” Jones says. “I missed proms, parties, a lot of events, and I didn’t see his family because I was away all the time.” The sacrifice was always worth it. Because he knew the reward. All of that paid off in March this year when he defeated India’s Nishant Deb in the world qualifiers held in Italy. Paris 2024 is now in his sights. “My first thought was, I did it,” Jones said. “I yelled into the camera, ‘I told you all!'” “And I yelled, “Before you prove to anyone that your goals and dreams are possible, prove it to yourself first. I took all the stress and effort I put into it,” Jones said. Jones’ deep-rooted message is to never give up and never get discouraged. “For the kids in Orlando and the kids around the world watching, it’s the same thing: If you try, anything is possible,” Jones said. Jones is aiming to become the first American boxer to take home a medal in the past 20 years.
In boxing, just like in life, when you fall down, you get back up again. Perhaps no one knows that better than 21-year-old Omari Jones.
“I feel like I’ve been beaten up a lot in life, inside the ring and outside of the ring,” Jones said. “I’ve had to make sure I got through all the hurdles in life to make sure I achieved my dreams.”
Jones stepped into the ring at just 8 years old and was still here 13 years later, doing so as an Olympian.
“Someone sent me the percentage of what it is that an American becomes an Olympian, and it’s a very, very small percentage,” Jones said. “To have my name mentioned alongside all the great athletes who have been Olympians before me and who are Olympians now, it’s like I’m writing my chapter in history right now.”
The Orlando native became interested in boxing after a stint in karate, as he loved the contact and discipline it brought.
But it wasn’t until he was a teenager that he realized the sport was becoming more than just a hobby.
“That’s when I started saying, ‘OK, let’s try and get to the Olympics,'” Jones said.
He began training two to three times a day, began competing in national events, and started attracting the attention of Team USA.
All of this happened when he was still in high school.
“It was a sacrifice to pursue it for 13 years,” Jones said. “I missed prom, I missed parties and a lot of events, I missed my family because I was away from home all the time.”
The sacrifice was always worth it because he knew the reward.
That dream came true in March this year when Jones defeated India’s Nishant Deb in the world qualifiers in Italy. The 2024 Paris Games are now in his sights.
“My first thought was, I’ve done it,” Jones said.
“I screamed into the camera, ‘I told you guys.’ And I just screamed, ‘Before you prove to anyone that your goals and dreams are specific, prove it to yourself first.’ I just let out all the stress and effort that I put into it,” Jones said.
At his core, it’s the message Jones has always wanted to stick to: never quit, never get down.
“For the kids in Orlando and the kids around the world watching, it was the same for them: Anything is possible if you try,” Jones said.
Jones is aiming to become the first American boxer in the past 20 years to return home with a medal.
