By Sammie Spillman ’16

The sport of boxing, formerly known as pugilism (literally meaning fist fight), has been included in the Olympic games since 1904. Women have boxed for almost as long as the sport has existed; however, they’ve been effectively outlawed for most of history. Athletic commissioners regularly refuse to sanction or issue licenses to women boxers and most nations have officially banned the sport. Although boxing is seen as a “manly” sport, sophomore Jada Satchell defies these boundaries.

Satchell started boxing five years ago at Champions Boxing and Fitness in Rockville. She had been playing basketball and volleyball but wanted to try something new. “My favorite part about boxing is it let me get out all the anger, and I don’t feel judged when boxing,” explained Satchell. “I also have made a whole bunch of new friends.”

When Satchell was younger, her older brother and her didn’t get along, so her mother would make them go out once a week and spend time together. Both were uninterested and her brother found somewhere that was open 24 hours so he could drop Satchell off and pick her up later. “He found the Champions Boxing Center and it’s just been a second home,” said Satchell.

Satchell wasn’t welcomed with open arms when she first walked into the ring, “[My trainer] was unsteady, very sexist, and believed girls shouldn’t be here but over time he got used to me, and used to me coming,” explained Satchell. As time went on, her skill and relationships with everyone in the gym improved. Her coach and her friend Brandon help her the most with confidence and boxing technique.

Satchell’s matches are like any other boxing match with the same rules. She’s boxed people from all around Maryland and occasionally even people from different states such as Texas. Satchell has not yet traveled far but hopes to do so in the future as she continues with her boxing.

Satchell is undefeated this season, despite the fact that she is one of the few females in a sport that predominantly caters to boys.