Meet Team USA

With the Olympics approaching, I thought it would be good to post a thread with info, videos, and pictures of this year's US Olympic Team so that people would get the chance to see them and learn about them and get to know them a bit before the Games begin. Here we go:

106lbs/Light Flyweight
LUIS YANEZ

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Weight Class: Light flyweight/106 pounds
Hometown: Duncanville, Texas
Birthdate: October 25, 1988
Height: 5-3
Weight: 106 pounds Reach: 26 1/4
Coach: Dennis Rodarte
Club: GTO
School: Duncanville High School
Began boxing: 1997
Career Highlight: Winning a silver medal at the Cadet World Championships and a gold medal at the Junior Olympic International Invitational
Biggest Influence: My biggest influence is Hector Beltran because I grew up with him and he has helped me train since I was little
Draw to boxing: My dad brought me to the gym
Greatest strength in the ring: My mind
Loves most about boxing: New experiences
Goals in and out of the ring: To be the best and have respect for others
Favorite Movie: Rocky
Favorite TV show: Martin
Favorite song: Danger
Hobbies outside of boxing: I work, train and go to school
Something people don’t know about me: I won the Cadet Pan American Games and was the youngest silver medalist at the Cadet World Championships
2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
2007 PAN AMERICAN GAMES GOLD MEDALIST
2007 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION
2007 NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION
2006 NATIONAL CHAMPION
TWO-TIME JUNIOR OLYMPIC NATIONAL CHAMPION
2005 CADET WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SILVER MEDALIST
2006 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BRONZE MEDALIST
2006 NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION
2006 UNDER 19 NATIONAL CHAMPION

Had a bit of drama recently with being kicked off the team. Is young and is doubtful he will win Gold, as Zou Shiming, the Chinese national hero is at his weight class.
Part One
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112lbs/Flyweight

RAU'SHEE WARREN

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Weight Class: Flyweight/112 pounds
Height: 5-4
Weight: 112 pounds
Reach: 26 3/4
Born: February 13, 1987, in Cincinnati, Ohio
Lives: Cincinnati, Ohio
School: Harmony High School
Coach: Mike Stafford
Began Boxing: 1995
Career Highlight: Going to the 2004 Olympics
Biggest influence: My mother because she always pushes me to keep going forward and helps me stay on top of my game
Draw to boxing: My older brother boxed and I followed him to the gym
Greatest strength in the ring: Speed and power
Other sports played: Basketball
Loves most about boxing: Winning
Favorite movie: Bad Boys
Favorite song: Dem Boys
Hobbies outside of boxing: Going to the mall

2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
2007 WORLD CHAMPION
2004 LIGHT FLYWEIGHT OLYMPIAN
FIRST U.S. OLYMPIAN TO RETURN TO AMATEUR BOXING SINCE 1992
YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE 2004 OLYMPIC TEAM IN ANY SPORT
2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BRONZE MEDALIST
THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION

Is the US's best shot at a Gold Medal this year. Is the favorite at 112lbs. Waited 4 years for these Olympics and his shot at Gold after going to Athens at age 17 and losing to Zou Shiming. His last loss I can remember was to Cuban legend Guillermo Rigondeaux, who was quoted after the fight as saying it was the hardest fight he had in years.

Part One
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Part Two
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119lbs/Bantamweight
GARY RUSSELL, JR.

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Weight Class: Bantamweight/119 pounds
Height: 5-5
Weight: 119 lbs
Born: June 5, 1988 in Washington D.C.
Lives: Capitol Heights, Md.
Coach: Gary Russell, Sr. and Robert Martin
Club: Enigma Boxing
Began boxing: 1995
Family Ties: Russell's three younger brothers also box and all four are trained by their father, Gary Russell, Sr.
Did you know: Russell was the youngest member of USA Boxing's 2005 Elite Team and won both the U.S. Championships and Golden Gloves at 16
Career Highlight: Winning a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships
Biggest Influence: My family
Draw to boxing: I was always around boxing, my older brothers boxed and my father trained them.
Greatest strength in the ring: My versatility
Other sports played: Football
Favorite thing about boxing: Winning
Goals in and out of the ring: To dominate in the ring and to be viewed as an intelligent individual
Favorite movie: Menace 2 Society
Favorite Song: Keisha Cole
2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
2006 NATIONAL CHAMPION
2005 USA BOXING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BRONZE MEDALIST
2005 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD MEDALIST
2005 NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION
2004 JUNIOR OLYMPIC CHAMPION
Is one of the more personable and outgoing members of the team. With a good draw he could medal; he's somewhat inconsistent. Also fought his way out of the challengers bracket after being shockingly upset his first day at the Olympic Trials.

This is Gary when he was 15 at the DC Golden Gloves. He won Nationals and National Golden Gloves at 16, the youngest age possible.
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And this is from this year in Argentina, when the team went there to spar with the Argentinian team:
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125lbs/Featherweight
RAYNELL WILLIAMS

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Raynell, in Red, battles Hylon Williams in the finals of the Olympic Trials:

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Weight class: Featherweight/125 lbs
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Birthdate: February 4, 1989
Height: 5-6
Weight: 125
Reach: 30
Coach’s name: Clint Martion
Club name: S.A.B.A.
School: Castle High
Began boxing: 2001
National Senior Titles: Two-time National Silver Gloves Champion
Who has been your biggest influence and why: My friends and family
How did you get involved in boxing: One day my dad asked me if I wanted to box and I said yes, then I loved it.
What is your greatest strength in the ring: My greatest strength is my speed and boxing.
What do you love most about boxing: Winning
What are your goals in and out of the ring: To be the best person I can be
What is your favorite movie: King of New York
What is your favorite TV show: Family Guy
What are your hobbies outside of boxing: Working and school and college

Raynell seemed to come from nowhere this year. Got his spot in Nationals through the Midwestern trials, I believe. He then went on a tear and had a great series with Hylon Williams of Houston, culminating in defeating him for the Olympic berth in Houston last year.

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132lbs/Lightweight
SADAM ALI

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Ali fights Miguel Gonzales at the Olympic Trials:

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Weight class: Lightweight/132 lbs
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Birthdate: September 26, 1988
Height: 5-8
Weight: 132 pounds
Coach’s name: Victor Rountree, Andre Rozier
School: Canarise High School
Began boxing: 8 years old
National Senior Titles: J.O. Nationals and World Champion, PAL National Champion, U-19 National Champion, two-time Golden Glove National Champion, two-time New York City Golden Glove Champion
Career highlight: Winning the National Golden Gloves two times in a row
Who has been your biggest influence and why: Prince Naseem Hamed
How did you get involved with boxing: Because of Prince Naseem Hamed
What is your greatest strength in the ring: Speed
Did you ever play any other sports: Football and basketball
What do you love most about boxing: Winning
What are your goals in and out of the ring: Being respectful
What is your favorite movie: Water Boy
What is your favorite TV show: Boiling Points
What is your favorite song: Victory 4
What are your hobbies outside of boxing: School
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know: I am a real cool person. I have love for everybody.
2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
TWO-TIME NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION
FIRST ARAB-AMERICAN BOXER TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS

Sadam has been around since the JOs and won the Olympic Trials by defeating very tough Miguel Gonzales, who went to the 2004 Olympic Trials as well.
Part One
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Part Two
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Part Two; I had to break it down as it wouldn't fit into one post.

141lbs/Light Welterweight
JAVIER MOLINA

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Molina (in Red) at the Trials:

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Weight class: Light Welterweight/141 lbs
Hometown: Commerce, California
Birthdate: January 2, 1990
Height: 5-9
Weight: 141 pounds
Reach: 30 3/4
Coach’s Name: Roberto Luna
Club Name: Commerce Boxing Club
School: John Glenn High School
Began Boxing: 1997
National Senior Titles: Eastern Trials
Career Highlight: Winning bronze in the Cadet World Championships
Who has been your biggest influence and why: My biggest influence is my family and coach. They believe in my and support me.
How did you get involved in boxing: My dad and my older brother also boxed, so my dad got me into it.
What is your greatest strength in the ring: My greatest strength is my mentality and my ability to counterpunch.
Did you ever play any other sports: Football
What do you love most about boxing: Traveling and meeting new people
What are your goals in and out of the ring: My goal is to win a gold medal in the Olympics and to graduate from college and get my degree.
What is your favorite movie: Training Day
What is your favorite TV show: George Lopez
What is your favorite song: No Me Se Rajar – Vincent Fernandez
What are your hobbies outside of boxing: Playing different sports
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know: I have all honors classes and a 3.8 grade point average.
2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
2007 NATIONAL CHAMPION

Javier is an interesting story. He's one of the younger Olympians and his brother, Oscar Molina, is boxing for the Mexican team this year I believe.
Part One
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Part Two
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152lbs/Welterweight
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

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Weight class: Welterweight/152 lbs
Height: 6-1
Weight: 152 lbs
Born: February 26, 1988 in Providence, R.I.
Lives: Providence, R.I.
Coach: Paul Andrade
School: Cooley High School
Children: daughter Autumn Andrade
Began boxing: 1994
Career Highlight: The 2005 U.S. Championships, Silver Gloves, Dual Meets and Junior Olympic International Invitational
Biggest Influence: My dad because he taught me everything I know in my lifetime
Draw to boxing: My dad
Greatest strength in the ring: My jab
Goals in and out of the ring: To be the greatest boxer I can and give back to my fans
Favorite movie: Four Brothers
Favorite TV Show: BET
Favorite Song: Nas Ether
Hobbies outside of boxing: Playing football
2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
2007 WORLD CHAMPION
2007 PAN AMERICAN GAMES TEAM MEMBER
TWO-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION
TWO-TIME NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION

Andrade is the US's next best bet for a Gold medal, after Rau'shee Warren. Won the World's in 2007 as well; is an explosive, big Welterweight who's very fast. If he's 100% in Beijing, he could very well win Gold.
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165lbs/Middleweight
SHAWN ESTRADA

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Estrada lands on Danny Jacobs at the Trials:

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Weight Class: Middleweight/165 pounds
Weight: 165 pounds
Born: April 1, 1985
Lives: East Los Angeles, California
Coach: Rodrigo Mosquera, Juan Leon Estrada, Hector Aguilar
Club: Eddie Heredia
School: East Los Angeles College
Began boxing: 1997
Biggest Influence: My dad and my daughter, Alyssa
Draw to boxing: My dad, Juan Estrada, and my uncle, Adan Estrada
Goals in and out of the ring: To be a champion so kids can look up to me
Career Highlight: Winning the Olympic Trials, International Duals, the Junior Olympics and the Junior Pan-Am games
Who was your biggest influence and why: My father, who was on Mexico’s Olympic team and my Uncle Adan Estrada who was a pro boxer
How did you get involved with boxing boxing: When I was young my dad and my uncle would go to the gym and would never take us. One dad my brother and I snuck in the car and went. I have loved boxing since I first walked into the gym that day.
What is your greatest strength inside the ring: I am a very strong hard hitter
Did you ever play any other sports: Yes: football, Track & Field and baseball
What do you love most about Boxing: That I am comfortable in the ring
What are your goals in and out of the ring: To win an Olympic gold medal and become a world champion, as well as being a good role mode to my little girl Alyssa!
What is your favorite movie: All the Fridays and Bound by Honor
What is your favorite TV show: The Simpson’s
What is your favorite song: Any West Coast rap
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know: I want to be Fire Fighter, I surf, and Bravo is perfecting my golf swing
2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
2008 AMERICAS QUALIFIER GOLD MEDALIST

Shawn is one of the oldest and one of the more mature members of the team. With him, it really depends which Shawn shows up. Either he's calm, boxes beautifully, and uses very good movement and great strength (he's a huge middleweight); or he's too psyched up, fouls a lot, and gets DQ'd. Through the past year, the first Shawn has shown up. He boxed beautifully through the Olympic Trials and defeated Danny Jacobs, who's an awesome fighter and who now boxes professionally, twice to win the Olympic spot. This is a favorite division of mine, partly because it's the weight I box at. Shawn is a longshot to win Gold, as Matvei Korobov of Russia is one of the Top P4P amateurs in the world.

This is from the same sparring in Argentina as Russell, except he had an injured hand at the time:
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201lbs/Heavyweight
DEONTAY WILDER

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Weight Class: Heavyweight/201 pounds
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Birthdate: October 22, 1985
Height: 6-7
Weight: 198 pounds
Reach: 34 1/2
Coach’s Name: Jay Deas
Club Name: Skyy Boxing
School: Central High School
Began Boxing: October 19, 2005
Occupation: Budweiser driver and Red Lobster
Do you have any children: Naieya Wilder, 2 years old
National Senior Titles: Two-time Alabama Golden Gloves Champion, 2007 Southern Golden Gloves Champion, 2007 National Golden Gloves Champion, 2007 Southeastern District Champion
Career highlight: Winning National Golden Gloves
Who has been your biggest influence and why: My little girl has been my biggest influence ever since she was born. She influences me even more once I found out about her condition. She serves as my motivation in life.
How did you get involved in boxing: To make a long story short, I had a little girl, got out of college and got two jobs to support my child. I started talking about boxing, word got out, I found a gym and it has been on ever since.
What is your greatest strength in the ring: The strong right hand
Did you ever play any other sports: Football, basketball, baseball and track
What do you love most about boxing: Being able to fight different guys around the world and traveling
What are your goals in and out of the ring: To be successful in life goals and to become the number one man
What is your favorite movie: Green Mile, Armageddon
What is your favorite TV show: Maury
What is your favorite song: I Can Make It – New direction gospel singer
What are your hobbies outside of boxing: playing football and basketball
What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know: I am gentle and kind hearted.
2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIAN
2007 NATIONAL CHAMPION
2007 NATIONAL GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION

Deontay is a great story. Apart from being one of the nicest guy's you'll meet, he only started boxing two years ago. He won the Olympic Trials with the final being his 22nd fight. He's a huge heavyweight and is ridiculously strong (the coaches have said his jab is as hard as some boxers' right hands). He started boxing because his daughter has spina bifida and he wants to be able to support her and make a better life.

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There's a video of him I posted right in his profile.

 

Yes. Like I said in the article, he's ridiculously strong, even his jab is hurtful. He's raw though, he doesn't have even 30 fights yet and is still kinda wild and awkward, but he knows how to throw straight and he's huge.

 

He is one. The dude is a beast.

 

Except Yanez is from Duncanville, Texas; not San Jose.