SAO PAULO: Brazilian aims for Olympic gold in women’s lightweight, Beatriz Ferreira’s boxing journey started at the age of four in her family’s garage, where she first discovered her passion for the sport.
Now, 27 years after first picking up the gloves, the Brazilian, daughter of twice Brazil boxing champion Raimundo Oliveira Ferreira, is the favourite to win gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the lightweight category.
Growing up in a poor neighbourhood of Salvador in the northern Brazilian state of Bahia, her father transformed their garage into a makeshift gym.
“He cleared out the garage, set up a punching bag, and invited neighbourhood kids to train. It was his way of keeping us off the streets,” she told Reuters between sparring at the Brazilian Boxing Federation training centre.
In pursuit of her dreams, she moved to Sao Paulo to train with the Olympic team.
“I didn’t know anyone in Sao Paulo, but I had a dream and the money boxing had earned me. I trained with the Olympic team, which was an invaluable experience,” she recounts.
Despite financial hardship, she persisted, even when her money ran out. Her dedication paid off when she was invited to be a reserve for the Olympic team.
