Juanma López Jr. follows father’s footsteps for Paris 2024 Olympics

López is repeating the history of his father, fellow boxer Juanma López, who 20 years ago qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Puerto Rico representation in the next Paris 2024 Olympic Games continues to increase.

Boxer Juanma López Jr. became the 22nd Puerto Rican athlete to qualify for the Olympic Games at the beginning of the week.

The athlete, called Juanmita, defeated Korean In-Kyu Kim in the quarterfinal round of the pre-Olympic tournament held in Busto Arsizio, Italy. He was the youngest of all the participants at only 18 years and 2 months.

López is repeating the history of his father, fellow boxer Juanma López, who 20 years ago qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

The Lópezes are the only Puerto Rican father and son couple to have qualified for the Olympics in boxing. 

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López Sr. is a world champion in two weight classes and has competed in many international events.

“I am super happy, I am super happy. I have no words. This is something big,” the proud father told El Nuevo Día.

López Jr. is now part of a group of 21 other Puerto Rican athletes who have been classified for the Olympics. He is the second boxer to qualify after the fighter Ashleyann Lozada qualified for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

“In Paris 2024 we are going to achieve the medal with God’s favor. It would be my family’s first Olympic medal, and I hope there are two along with Ashleyann Lozada’s. After so long, we are two Puerto Ricans in the Olympics, and we are going to achieve it,” López said to the newspaper.