OT - Olympics - Great story about Flint female boxer (technically a spoiler but you won't be watching a replay)
I didn't see anyone post about this before, but I was away during nearly all of July, during which I didn't check the board much, so sorry if it was already posted.
Claressa Shields is taking part in the first women's Olympic boxing event. She just beat probably the most decorated female boxer ever and is already guaranteed at least bronze. She was way too quick for Laurell, which made up for her huge size disadvantage. I doubt it was televised; I watched it on atdhenet.tv's boxing feed. Her next bout is Wednesday at 2:30 BST. http://www.london2012.com/boxing/event/women-middle-75kg/index.html?v=20120806-163612117
Like many in Flint, her story isn't the happiest of tales. It's a wonderful story even if this girl wasn't from Michigan, but that she's from around the same parts is I am makes it even better. Best of luck to her.
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/27/147500470/straight-out-of-flint-girl-boxer-aims-for-olympics
August 6th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
Like a Swede really stood a chance against a Flint girl.
August 6th, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^
August 6th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
Or, Swedes are a bunch of ninnies.
I thought was a pretty funny joke. However, Sweden has its share of run-down cities - Malmo in particular. I was in Malmo for one day on my way to Stockholm and could not believe what a sh*thole it was.
I should apologize for a slight overreaction on my behalf. There are only a few things that get MgoJohnStamos angry, and besides that time DJ crashed my mustang through the kitchen wall, bringing up family and where I grew up are two sure fire ways to get me fired up. I just dont like Flint, or the state of Michigan being the butt of jokes.
In all seriousness, I am damn proud of her to represent the soul of the city. We have taken some big bumps, but we are going to be back (largely in part of the University of Michigan).
MgoJohnStamos...
Driving on Ballenger Hwy. home from work last week, and there was literally a bus engulfed in flames in the middle of the road....Looked like one of the Assisted Living buses, but it happened to be exploded...
Week (or two) before that... triple murder about a quarter mile from the same area....
I love when people are proud of where they come from, but Flint SHOULD breed some tough ass people when shit like that happens every other week
August 6th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
If I am not mistaken the network did one of their "fluff' pieces on this woman. They talked about how her father is always in and out of jail. How she went to the gym and told them she wanted to box. They were skeptical but in no time she was better than some of their male boxers. How she found out just before a big fight that her father was back in prison. That might have been Nationals because they mentioned how afterwards she called her father and told him she was the champ. Very touching story...glad to see her doing well.
August 6th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
I think that might have been the NPR piece. Great story. What incredible poise by her to perform well at Nationals after getting a call from her dad from jail.
Well it may have been on NPR but unless I am mistaken...there is no visual to NPR...this piece showed the gym, interviewed the coach and her father (sound and pictures)...had scenes from depressed neighborhoods in Flint...
I'm sure your right, it was the most poignant part of the story, so it's not surprising it would be picked up by multiple stories. I shouldn't have assumed it was the same one I listened to.