USA Boxing announced today the dates and locations for the next three editions of the USA Boxing National Junior Olympics, which will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this summer in Wichita, Kan. Before heading back to Lubbock, Texas in 2023 and returning to Wichita the following year.
“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 2021 Lubbock, Texas proved to be an ideal host with their Civic Center’s versatility perfect for the event’s size and we plan to return in 2023. We’re looking forward to the same at the unique and expansive Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center in Wichita.”
The 50th annual National Junior Olympics, held July 9-16 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.
Wichita, which is coined the “Heart of the Country,” will also play host to the 2024 edition of the tournament, 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.
“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.”
Josh Howell, vice president of sports development at Visit Wichita added, “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 and incredibly exciting for our community and for Wichita boxer Nico Hernandez, a 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist who took the title in this event in 2012 and 2013.”
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.
“We are excited about the announcement that USA Boxing will be returning the Lubbock in 2023,” said John Osborne, president and CEO of Lubbock Sports. “The investment USA Boxing has made into our community the past few years while hosting the 2021, and now 2023, Junior Olympics has been monumental for our local boxing community. We are proud to be chosen for next year’s event, as it further establishes Lubbock, Texas as premier sports destination. We look forward to an exciting tournament in 2023.”
“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, Kan.
June 3-10, 2023 – Lubbock, Texas
June 22 – 29, 2024 – Wichita, Kan.