CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
An Airman from Team Charleston is fighting to join another sort of team; the All-Air Force Boxing Team.
Airman 1st Class Chance Yearwood, with the 437th Airlift Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron, is at Lackland AFB, Texas, this week where he is participating in the 2008 All-Air Force Boxing Trial Camp with 15 other Airmen from around the Air Force.
"There are 16 boxers competing for five weight classes," said Tech. Sgt. Edward Rivas, head coach of the All-Air Force Boxing Team. "There are 11 weight classes, but we will only fill five of those weight classes."
The five Airmen chosen at the close of the trial camp will represent the Air Force in boxing competitions throughout the year.
"Currently there are three other boxers in Airman Yearwood's 132-pound weight class," said Sergeant Edward Rivas.
Participants are expected to show up at the trial camp in shape and ready to go. If they don't, it could be the difference between their making the team or not.
"I'll train for two-and-a-half weeks and then at the end of the month we'll have a box-off to see who will make the final team," said Airman Yearwood.
The Air Force Box-off is scheduled to be held Jan. 18 - 19.
Airman Yearwood first became interested in boxing around the age of 16.
"Growing up I played a lot of sports and I sort of just fell into boxing," said Airman Yearwood. "It's a big deal to me to have the opportunity to try out for the All-Air Force Boxing Team."
A typical day for the trial camp boxers begins with an early morning workout where they run and attend a strength and conditioning class. After their early morning workout, they attend a class where instruction is focused on nutrition and diet, said Sergeant Rivas.
It isn't until later in the afternoon when the boxers are finally able to take to the ring.
In the afternoon the boxers attend two classes, one which focuses on the techniques of Olympic style boxing followed by an hour of skills and drills, where boxers learn about offensive and defensive movement, said Sergeant Rivas.
The final two hours of the day allows the boxers to hit the gym where they spar against one another, applying the lessons they learned throughout the afternoon, he said.
Those selected to join the team will subsequently begin a training camp that starts Jan. 21 and ends Feb. 8.
"If Airman Yearwood is selected, he will continue training to prepare for the Armed Forces Championships and the U.S. Nationals," said Sergeant Rivas.
The Armed Forces Championships are scheduled for Feb. 3-8 at Camp LeJuene, N.C., and the U.S. Nationals are scheduled for Mar. 16-18 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Airman Yearwood credits his opportunity to try out for the All-Air Force Boxing Team to his commander, Maj. James Petrick, 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander.
"My commander has been extremely supportive," said Airman Yearwood. "He pushed hard for me to have the opportunity to try out for the All-Air Force Boxing Team."
While the two-and-a-half weeks of training are intense, Airman Yearwood hopes his hard work will pay off.
"It would be an honor to have the opportunity to fight for the Air Force and to make the Air Force look good," Airman Yearwood said.