17-year-old female Olympian boxer says, 'God has a plan for me'

http://www.examiner.com

A lot of seventeen-year-old girls are thinking about boys, parties, cosmetics and the latest fashions. This is not the case for seventeen-year-old Claressa Shields. She is thinking about a ring -- the boxing ring, that is.

The young U.S. Olympic team boxer is aChristian who prays in her corner of the ring before every fight.

Boxing experts call Shields a superstar in the makings. She was 26-0 before experiencing her first loss on her way to qualifying for the Olympics in London. Shields' journey as a boxer is being documented by photographer Sue Jaye Johnson who told the Christian Post:

“When she lost for the first time in her life she prayed very hard. She emerged from that experience feeling like God was trying to send her a message. That she needed to experience a loss and not take anything for granted."

On May 18 when Shields learned that she qualified for the Olympics, she told USA Boxing, “The first thing I thought was thank you God, I’m so, so happy. You are there, you are hearing me.”

Shields also believes . . .

“God has a plan for me, if it’s meant for me to get this gold medal, I will. I’m thankful though, all Glory to God!"

All eyes will be on Shields in the 2012 Olympics for several reasons:

• This is the first time in Olympics history that women’s boxing will be a medal sport.
• Claressa Shields is the youngest U.S. boxer in 40 years.
• Claressa Shields is good at her craft.
• More than likely Shields will take home an Olympic medal for team USA.

At 17-year-old, Shields wants to be the first female boxer to win an Olympian gold medal. Let's wish her the best since this would be a dream come true for her.