Richmond’s Nnajai Wright and six Olympians shined at the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships, which concluded Saturday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center after a week of intense competition featuring nearly 900 boxers from across the country.

The five-day event brought boxers from nearly every state to compete in divisions ranging from bantam (10-11 years old) to elite non-Olympic weight classes (18-39 years old). The Championships also served as a launching point for the next Olympic cycle, with athletes setting their sights on the Los Angeles 2028 Games. 

Among the standouts was Wright, who claimed victory in the Youth Male 198+ lbs division, earning hometown cheers. A student at Thomas Jefferson High School, Wright trains under his grandfather Omar Aleem and uncle Immanuwel Aleem, a professional boxer and former WBC Silver Middleweight Champion. 

The competition also showcased 2020 Olympian Naomi Graham and 2024 Olympians Jajaira Gonzalez, Jennifer Lozano, Roscoe Hill, Jahmal Harvey, Alyssa Mendoza and Morelle McCane, each clinching titles in their respective weight classes. 

Following Saturday’s competition, Mendoza was named Elite Female Outstanding Boxer, while Thomas Covington earned Elite Male Outstanding Boxer honors. Laila Zakirova took home Youth Female Outstanding Boxer honors, and Salim Ellis-Bey was recognized as Youth Male Outstanding Boxer. Guadalupe Ruiz and Javier Mitchell were named Junior Female and Male Outstanding Boxers of the tournament, respectively. 

Results from the tournament will help shape USA Boxing’s junior, youth, and elite High Performance teams for 2025. The top eight competitors in each weight class also earned points toward the 2025 national rankings. For more details, including full results, rankings and boxer profiles, visit usaboxing.org 

 Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press