STOCKTON, Calif. — Faith Gomez, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Stockton Collegiate International School, is not your typical student. By day, she's immersed in textbooks and classrooms, but once the school bell rings and homework is completed, Gomez transforms into a formidable force in the boxing ring.
"I remember when I first started," said Gomez. "I wanted to do volleyball or some easy sport, but my dad was like 'keep moving, keep going.' After the first half of the month, I was like 'I want to do this. I like it.'"
Discovering her passion for boxing at the age of 10, Gomez faced initial skepticism from her parents. "My parents were definitely in fear at first," she explained. "They were like 'What happens if she gets hurt?' And I was like 'We'll just be prepared.'"
Prepared she was, and Gomez's dedication has propelled her to new heights in the boxing world, securing victories, including a gold medal in the junior Olympics. "I've won a couple of title tournaments, silver glove tournaments, and even secured second place in the junior Olympics. The following year, I won gold in Lafayette, Louisiana," Gomez proudly shared.
Recently, the city of Stockton honored Gomez for her outstanding achievements. "At first, I was surprised," she admitted. "Even the mayor came up to me and said, 'I love your work, just keep going.' That was touching because I didn't think he would say anything. I was like 'wow, that's amazing.'"
Currently, Gomez is gearing up for the silver gloves championship, aiming to add another accolade to her impressive collection. In the midst of her rigorous training routine, she has words of wisdom for aspiring young boxers: "Even if you're struggling, just keep going. Just be grateful for everything you receive and everything that will come later," said Gomez.
Faith Gomez is not just a student; she's a boxing sensation breaking barriers and inspiring others in Stockton and beyond. As she continues her journey, there's no doubt that this young athlete will leave an indelible mark in the world of sports.