Sports
Indio Native Jocelyn Camarillo Wins USA Boxing National Championship (48kg)
Jocelyn Camarillo is 17 years old from Indio, CA and on December 11th, 2021 she was crowned champion at the USA Boxing National Championships held in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“I’m just really glad that I was able to come out and win and represent the Coachella Valley well.”
Jocelyn fought in the 48kg weight class, where she had to win two matches to win the belt. Once Jocelyn reached the final, she admits that she was nervous before the match. However, she says that she kept her mind sharp and relied on her countless hours of training to bring home the belt.
Her father and trainer, Valente Camarillo, knew she was a champion before she even stepped into the ring for the final match.
“I had a good feeling about it as soon as this fight started. She looked ready, she was jumping around, and the other girl looked a little nervous. So, I kind of knew that we were gonna leave national champions and I talked to her before and I told her, and she did what she had to do and we came out on top.”
Winning a national championship at 17 years old is impressive already, but to do it with only three years of training? An incredibly rare accomplishment.
“I’ve always been into sports”, Jocelyn explains, “but I wanted to try something new, it was like three years ago, my first fight and I had won. It was just an amazing feeling and that’s when I knew this is definitely for me.”
Her Dad, Valente was reluctant at first, but once he saw the joy boxing gave his daughter, he was compelled to support her.
“I was kind of scared. I was like, ‘my baby’s gonna go out there and compete!’ but she went in there ready to fight and she liked it. She came out with a smile and came out with a victory so I knew that we got something.”
Jocelyn trains out of Lee Espinoza’s boxing gym at the Coachella Valley boxing gym. Espinoza started training Jocelyn three years ago and simultaneously was teaching Valente how to be a trainer for Jocelyn.
“He started kind of teaching me how to do the moves. I started picking up things and quickly learning, and putting in hard work and here we are.”
Jocelyn’s dad is now her main trainer, and together they won a National Championship.
“It’s really amazing, our bond has grown stronger from this.” Jocelyn says, “literally without him this would have never happened.”
Being able to train and spend time with his daughter is something Valente and the Camarillo family enjoy the most.
“We get victories together, we get to lose together so I mean, it is what it is and we do it together.”
Jocelyn is a senior at Shadow Hills high school and her career aspirations are to continue boxing, go to college, and be an example for young women and girls who want to try a sport like boxing.
“I’m happy that I was able to prove for the Coachella and for my gym that girls can do it. If girls want to join a sport that might be considered a male-dominant sport. I love sparring boys actually, because I like getting the reaction like ‘oh my gosh, she’s kicking that boy’s butt!’ so that just goes to show again that girls can kick butt just as much as guys can.”
By: NBC Palm Springs
January 5, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
More than 2,000 rescues — and the year isn’t over yet. Santa Clemente lifeguards are keeping a close eye on the Pacific as they prepare for potentially stronger surf and bigger waves this winter. From Tower Zero, lifeguards monitor the entire beach and use cameras to spot trouble in the water. One of their biggest concerns? Rip currents, which can pull swimmers far from shore. With more rescues already this year than all of last year, lifeguards say the key is simple: be ready before someone needs help. #SanClemente #Lifeguards #OceanSafety #RipCurrents #BeachSafety SurfSafety SouthernCalifornia PacificOcean NBCPalmSprings
The Salton Sea is at a crossroads. From a massive restoration project bringing habitat back to the shoreline, to a potential lithium boom, and the new Salton Sea Conservancy, its future is being shaped right now. We’re taking you behind the scenes to explore what comes next for the Salton Sea. In our newest 30-minute report, go behind-the-scenes with the state’s conservation team, learn about updated timlines from lithium executives, and hear how former political leaders paved the way. Restoring the Salton Sea: Progress, Promise and Pressure. Streaming this Sunday on NBC Palm Springs. #saltonsea #lithiumvalley #saltonseaconservancy #marybono
A few PSUSD students will get a unique opportunity to learn more about careers in Aviation at the Palm Springs Air Museum with the districts launch of their Aviation and Aeronautics Career Exploration Program. Be sure to stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to learn all about this. #palmspringsairmuseum #palmsprings #aviationeducation #psusd #backtoschool
Escape to the mountains without spending a fortune. Looking for a unique getaway? Hicksville Pines Bud & Breakfast in Idyllwild offers themed rooms, retro arcade games, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, nightly camp movies and plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the mountain air. And there’s a special deal for NBC Palm Springs viewers: 15% off your stay 20% off additional nights when available Use code NBCPalmSprings at checkout The adults-only property also offers a relaxed 420-friendly atmosphere and complimentary breakfast, including a memorable cannabis-leaf-shaped waffle. Would you stay here for a mountain getaway? #NBCPalmSprings #Idyllwild #HicksvillePines #MountainGetaway #CaliforniaGetaway WeekendGetaway CoachellaValley TravelCalifornia
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What’s your go-to breakfast?
A new Sand Cat kitten is receiving its first in-hospital wellness exam. Our Maria Noble Valdez was able to go into the hospital and get a unique behind-the-scenes look at why this is so important. Be sure to tune in at 5 and 6 pm tonight or visit nbcpalmsprings.com to learn more. #thelivingdesert #wildlifeconservation #sandcat #coachellavalley #palmdesert
Social Time with Thalia and Jerry. Does Sept. 1st make you think of fall, or not quite yet?
A judge has officially dropped a second degree murder charge against former Silvercrest CEO William Frank Rodriguez due to insufficient evidence. Rodriguez now faces a felony hit and run charge and driving under a suspended license. Rodriguez is accused of killing 60-year old Cathedral City resident Christina Barrington in a hit and run crash back in October of 2024. Tune in to our evening newscasts as our @newsbyalondra shares details on the preliminary hearing in this case.
It’s been one month since a car crashed into the Burger Box restaurant in Indio. Owner Anthony Ruiz says a lot has been happening behind the scenes since then. With some new, big developments over the past week, Ruiz spoke with NBC Palm Springs’s @maria_nvtv to discuss rebuilding, new details about the investigation taking place, and how the owners are feeling now. Watch the full on update on NBC Palm Springs at 5 & 6, and visit nbcpalmsprings.com to hear where things stand, what’s next, and how the Burger Box family is reflecting on this incident as they navigate their new reality. #BurgerBox #update #indio #localbusiness #rebuilding
Social time with Thalia and Jerry and Hayden