Boxer Elsa Li poses for a photo wearing some of her boxing gear in the studio at The Republic in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Li, a freshman at Columbus North, recently won the 2023 USA Boxing Women’s Championship in the 119-pound weight class.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
It was only two years ago that Elsa Li came to the United States from China and started training in boxing for only a year.
Li has come a long way since then. She was named the 2023 USA Boxing Women’s Championship at 119 pounds in the Junior Female Novice Division last month in Toledo, Ohio.
Prior to coming to the United States, Li grew up in China. Her start in boxing comes through her father and boxing coach, Mike Li, who had taught kickboxing, as well, but not to Elsa.
Elsa mentioned that she trains at home about two hours every day.
“He inspired me when I got to America and inspired me to do the sport,” Elsa said. “He really got me engaged to try it, and then I did it. He really gets me through it every single day to help for the competition.”
When Elsa came to the United States to begin seventh grade, she wasn’t afraid to admit it took her a bit of time to get adjusted to a new school, new students and a new culture. Needless to say, she’s enjoyed her two years here thus far. She began her freshman year at Columbus North earlier this month.
“The school and the education is so much better than where I was in China,” Elsa said. “When I came here, it was pretty challenging for me, but then I got through it.”
One of the biggest obstacles Li faced was the language barrier. She had a hard time figuring out what the teachers were saying at the beginning, but that’s all changed.
Boxer Elsa Li poses for a photo with her title belts and medals in the studio at The Republic in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Li, a freshman at Columbus North, recently won the 2023 USA Boxing Women’s Championship in the 119-pound weight class.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Li used many methods to help her along the way, such as Google translator and the dictionary. She mentioned that her father also brought many books from elementary schools in helping her learn the English language.
“When I came here, I didn’t know any English at all. It was pretty challenging for me. I was getting adjusted to the environment and learning the English language step by step,” Elsa said. “After about one year, my English improved pretty quickly, and now I can speak English fluently.”
In February, Elsa competed at the National Silver Gloves in Independence, Missouri. She competed in the 114-pound weight class and went 1-1 for second place.
Li had much better results last month going 2-0 in her bouts at 119. Her first bout, she won by unanimous decision, and her second bout, she won by technical knockout.
Li has many medals and a couple of belts from competing in those tournaments.
“I’ve been guiding her training journey. Her work ethic and dedication to boxing is remarkable, and she’s been training for just a year,” Mike said. “Her achievements truly speak to her determination and talent. Not many people believe that she has trained for one year. She works very hard and trains very hard. It’s really remarkable.”
