The future of boxing in the Central Valley looks strong with the conclusion of the 2019 Western Elite Qualifier & Regional Open Championships, the second tournament in the USA Boxing Olympic Trials Qualifying Series that saw 11 local fighters walk away from Reno, Nevada this weekend with either gold or silver finishes in their respective brackets.

Turlock’s Sandra Tovar finished second at 112 pounds in the Youth Female division with a first-round TKO win over Ana Sanchez of Santa Ana before a decision-loss to Shera Mae Patricio of Wainanae, Hawaii in Thursday’s championship bout. Destiny Nino of Manteca also took home silver in the Youth Female division, beating Martha Calderon of Houston, Texas in the first round of the 106-pound bracket before falling to Esmerelda Gonzalez of Dallas, Texas via split-decision in their championship bout.

Turlock and Manteca also produced second-place finishers in the Intermediate Male division in Orlando Zamora and Moises Villalobos, respectively.

Zamora was busy in the 75-pound bracket, defeating Texas-based Elixian Carrilo and Jair Aguilar of Las Vegas, Nevada before losing to Andrew Corona of Phoenix, Arizona on Friday. Villalobos also faced two opponents prior to his finals match, beating Joshua Franco of Odessa, Texas and Ronny Edmonds of Nashville, Tennessee before losing to Joseph Chrisholm of Stratford, Connecticut.

Local champions include:

Brianna Martinez of Merced – Bantam Female 60lbs

David Veloz of Atwater – Pee Wee 8 Male 60lbs

Damon Flores of Ceres – Pee Wee 8 Male 65lbs

Refugio Veloz of Atwater – Pee Wee 9-10 Male 60lbs

Santiago Veloz of Atwater – Intermediate Male 85lbs

Jesus Haro of Merced – Youth Male 101lbs

Antonio Chavarria of Stockton – Youth Male 114lbs