USA Boxing has announced the dates and locations for the next three editions of the USA Boxing National Junior Olympics, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer in Wichita, Kan. The 2023 event will take place in Lubbock, Texas, and will return again to Wichita in 2024.
“We’re thrilled to welcome USA Boxing and its athletes and fans to the heart of the country for the first time. It’s a huge win for Wichita, showing once again that we are a tremendous sports city capable of hosting events of all magnitudes,” said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita. “We’re confident Wichita will provide a fantastic and energetic welcome, and the athletes will enjoy competing here. During down time, we are encouraging USA Boxing athletes and fans to explore our 50-plus attractions and vibrant restaurant scene."
The 50th annual National Junior Olympics, held July 9-16, 2022, at the Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, will see the nation’s best up and coming boxers take to the ring in one of the oldest and most historic USA Boxing national tournament that has seen numerous Olympic medalists, including 2020 Tokyo Olympic medalists Keyshawn Davis (Norfolk, Va.), Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio), Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Richard Torrez Jr. (Tulare, Calif.), take part in on their journey to international and Olympic success.
“We are thrilled to have the National Junior Olympics and Summer Boxing Festival coming to Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor/Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Wichita will be an ideal setting for this exciting competition that will bring far-reaching economic benefit as youth boxers, their families, coaches, officials and fans flock to Wichita. Sports Tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, bringing significant economic value to host communities and surrounding cities. This event will be yet another great reason to visit Kansas.”
Wichita boxer Nico Hernandez - an IBA Flyweight World Title holder, 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist and winner of the 2012 and 2013 National Junior Olympics - says he is looking forward to hosting the 2022 competition in his hometown. "It's exciting to have the National Junior Olympics coming to Wichita this year," said Hernandez. "You'll see some great talent at this competition, and I can't wait to watch the action and see some of the gym members from Wichita compete in the event."
After the success of the 2021 National Junior Olympics, Lubbock will be the host city once again in 2023. The tournament will take place in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, June 3-10, 2023. In 2024, the event will return to Wichita June 22-29, and serve as a kickoff to what should be a successful summer for USA Boxing, as the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will begin the following month.
“USA Boxing is beyond pleased to officially announce the next three editions of the National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival,” said Michael Campbell, USA Boxing Events and Operations Manager. “In Shreveport, more than half of the teams drove to the event,” stated Campbell. “Lubbock and Wichita are centrally located in the Mid-west and are within 500 miles of 25-30% of our membership, and this was one of many factors the Events Department considers when conducing site selections, as this affects our members overall costs.”
The first ever Summer Festival in 2021 expanded competition opportunities to more age divisions, introducing the elite and collegiate divisions to the summer event. This year’s event will see the return of the Masters Open, which was first held in 2018. Additional information regarding the tournament will be announced in the coming weeks.
National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Tournament Dates
- July 9-16, 2022 – Wichita, Kansas
- June 3-10, 2023 – Lubbock, Texas
- June 2-29, 2024 – Wichita, Kansas
Other sporting events being hosted by Visit Wichita in 2022
- National Theatre on Ice Competition – June 20-25
- The Basketball Tournament (TBT) 2022 Regionals & Quarter Finals – July 22-25 & 28
- USA Waterski Regionals | Mystic Lakes – July 29-31
- USA Waterski National Championship | Mystic Lakes – Aug. 7-13
- American Cornhole League (ACL) Pro Shootout | Charles Koch Arena – Aug. 19-20
About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2019 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
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