Sports

City Honors Kenney for International Boxing Victory

Iesha Kenney, a 15-year-old at Minnie Howard, earned victory in international boxing tournament in Finland on May 4.

Minnie Howard student Iesha Kenney was recognized at City Hall Tuesday night for her victory in an international boxing tournament earlier this month in Finland with the USA Junior World Team. 

Kenney, who is a straight-A student at Minnie Howard and also plays violin in the orchestra, won a unanimous decision over Elizabeth Dillion of England on May 4 in Pirkka, Finland, while representing the United States.

“I was in Finland for three days,” the 15-year-old said. “The competition was two days. Prior to that, I was in training camp [in Colorado Spring, Colo.] for a few weeks. ... In the tournament, I was in one bout and won 5-0.”

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Kenney, who boxes in the 132-pound weight class, got involved at the boxing program at Charles Houston Recreation Center when she was 11, initially just reading books on the side of the gym while watching others.

“She’s an outstanding example of what Alexandria is all about,” said Mayor Bill Euille, who presented Kenney with a proclamation on Tuesday night.

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Euille told Kenney he would join her and her training partners at Charles Houston for a jog sometime.

“I cannot box, but the least I can do is jog,” Euille said.


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