CAMAGÜEY.- “The ring is also my home, I feel motivated with each movement, each exchange, the adrenaline I feel when I go up makes me feel more alive and I wouldn't change that for anything.” This is how fifteen-year-old Lisyane Benítez Hernández feels, the first national boxing champion of the province.
The Camagüey's athlete came to the sport attracted by the furor caused by the fists and the fast dance of the boxers on the ring: “I started at the EIDE (Sports Initiation School) in eighth grade in cycling, but we didn't compete much. I had always been interested in boxing, I never left the gym because I loved watching the fights, the exercises and I imagined myself there. When I found out about the recruitment for the women's team, I was one of the first to try out. And here I am.”
It is not enough for her to be there. At her young age, the Camagüey's native has two titles under her belt: the Ignacio Agramonte Cup and her most significant result: the triumph in the 50 kg of the 60th edition of the National School Games, the first with female boxers between the ropes.
“In every fight I go out to give it my all, without fear, because I love boxing and I am very focused on the advice of my coach, especially because you have to know your rivals. At the School Games I had three difficult fights, especially the last one, against an athlete from Santiago, but I put speed and distance combat to my advantage, weapons that I exploit thanks to my teachers," she said.
Being a pioneer in terms of triumphs in these competitions is a source of pride for Lisyane, however, she looks to the future with the ambition of those who are not satisfied: "we train up to three times a day, in the morning, after school in the afternoon and at dawn on weekends to do 'mañanitas'. The sacrifice is hard but every day I put more effort into it, because my goal is to be a great champion, represent my country and help my family. That is my motivation," she said.
Swapping pedals for gloves never scared the girl from Jimaguayú, who knows she is an example for other young women. "I tell girls who are interested in boxing not to be afraid if they like it, go ahead, pursue their dream. They still exist "People who see this sport as masculine, but being strong, combative, explosive or agile does not make us less of a woman," she says with the same precision that she displays in the ring, and says that initially her mother was also afraid of stereotypes, but she managed to convince her.
Benítez was one of the eight athletes from other disciplines who made up the first female boxing enrollment at the EIDE Cerro Pelado and to which new figures were added this year. Now that the flagship of our multi-sport competitions seems to have lost its safe route, they may well be the beacon that marks better paths.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez