Lausanne,Switzerland(RushPRnews)11/19/08-The top female boxers from the United States left for China on Saturday for the premier event on the women’s boxing calendar – the 2008 AIBA Women’s World Championships which will take place from November 22-29 in Ningbo City.
The 13-strong squad will partake in an acclimation training camp from November 16-21, prior to opening of the competition on November 22.
The United States team boasts a strong squad of young and talented newcomers with experienced international veterans. Reigning Pan American Champion and 2006 World Championships Light Flyweight bronze medallist Marlen Esparza will lead the team into action in Ningbo City. She is joined by two-time World Championships team member and 2008 Pan American Light Bantamweight champion Sacred Downing; 2005 World Championships participant, Flyweight Cheryl Houlihan and 2006 World Championships competitor, Lightweight Caroline Barry. 2008 Pan American Bantamweight titlist Cynthia Moreno will vie for her first World Championships hardware in Ningbo City, China.
Pic: 2006 World Championships Light Flyweight bronze medallist Marlen Esparza will lead a team of 13 for USA in Ningbo
The eight athletes completing the United States roster are: Pinweight Sylvia Villapando, Featherweight Alexandria Cardenas; Light Welterweight Queen Underwood; Welterweight Vanessa Jackson; Light Middleweight Grace Parks; Middleweight Meredith Della Giustina; Light Heavyweight Miosha Wagoner and Heavyweight Tiffanie Hearn.
The event draw, opening ceremony and first session of preliminary round action will all take place on Saturday, November 22. Preliminary round competition will run through November 25 at the Ningo Youngor Gymnasium in the Ningbo Sports Centre. Quarterfinal action will be contested on November 26 with all the competitors enjoying a rest day on November 27. Competition will resume on November 28 with semifinal action and end with the championship round on November 29.
The United States won three medals at the most recent World Championships in 2006, earning two silver and one bronze. The 2008 edition will be the fifth Women’s World Championships, with the first taking place in USA in 2001.
Team USA
46kg: Sylvia Villapando
48kg: Marlen Esparza
50kg: Cheryl Houlihan
52kg: Sacred Downing
54kg: Cynthia Moreno
57kg: Alexandria Cardenas
60kg: Caroline Barry
63kg: Queen Underwood
66kg: Vanessa Jackson
70kg: Grace Parks
75kg: Meredith Della Giustina
80kg: Mioshia Wagoner
86kg: Tiffanie Hearn
