Windsor teen boxer Jarelyn Castillo stays light on her feet while shadowboxing in the ring at the Border City Boxing Club on Druillard Road.
Her fist pierces the air, cutting off her scream.
“Jarelin is a cheerful rancher,” says coach Andre Gouges. He wants to change her nickname from “The Gem” to something after Candy. “What's your favorite color?”
“Probably green or red,” Castillo answered without missing a beat or a breath.
Windsor boxer Jarelyn Castillo, 17, shadowboxes in the ring at the Border City Boxing Club on Druillard Road. (Darson Chen/CBC)
Just three years ago, it wasn't easy for Castillo to display this kind of speed and stamina. The 17-year-old athlete says he gained weight during the coronavirus lockdown.
“My physical health deteriorated tremendously. I weighed about 250 pounds,” she recalls.
When Castillo emerged from the era of social distancing, he turned to his family's tradition of boxing to lose weight.
Windsor boxer Jarelyn Castillo, 17, talks about training at the Border City Boxing Club on Druillard Road. (Darson Chen/CBC)
As a young girl, she would accompany her older brother to training at the Border City Boxing Club. Her uncle was heavily involved in the sport in the Dominican Republic, where her parents immigrated.
“Basically, boxing has always been in my family,” Castillo says. “I just love it. I can't express it in words…I feel like boxing has helped me a lot, not just physically.”
Windsor boxer Jarelyn Castillo, 17, does pad work with coach Josh Canty at Border City Boxing Club. (Darson Chen/CBC)
While Castillo was able to drop about 100 pounds on the scale, the activity also ignited her competitive spirit. Over the past two years, she has competed in multiple amateur tournaments in her 75 kg women's youth division.
Castillo had his biggest win to date, winning his division at the 2024 Canada Cup Youth National Championships in Calgary in March.
The win earned Castillo a spot on Team Canada. What made it especially important for her was that she was competing against someone who had beaten her in her previous tournament.
“When I got there, I decided I really needed to give her a shot,” Castillo says. “She really needed to put her heart into it.”
Windsor boxing coach Andre Gorges of Border City Boxing Club on Druillard Road. (Darson Chen/CBC)
Gorges admires Castillo's style as a technical boxer, but said Border City coaches have encouraged her to progress more in the ring, and she implemented that game plan in Calgary. Told.
“Most judges want that aggression,” Gorges said. “She's been working hard, especially lately. Her right straight has power, too.”
Josh Canty, chairman of Border City Boxing Club, Druillard Road, Windsor. (Darson Chen/CBC)
Club president Josh Canty believes Castillo has “all the possibilities in the world”.
“She entered the sport because of COVID-19, which really hindered her chances. But now we're back on track and she's a national champion. Now she's in training camp. Now I have more opportunities to participate and even represent Canada in the Canada World Championships. “
Jarelyn Castillo, 17, jumps rope to warm up at the Border City Boxing Club on Druillard Road in Windsor. (Darson Chen/CBC)
Ms Canty, who works in education, said she was concerned about the physical and mental health of “many children”, including Mr Castillo, since the lockdown.
“COVID-19 has taken a toll on all of us. But she's come back stronger… She just has to keep training, keep listening, keep learning. She… We have a great team and we expect great things from her. She is a gem. A diamond in the rough, our Jerelyn.”
