2026 U19 World Boxing Championships
Lauryn Elmore

Lauryn Elmore Eyes Second International Gold at 2026 U19 World Championships

Share:

by USA Boxing

Lauryn Elmore started boxing in 2013 after playing basketball on a team full of older and bigger guys. After seeing her get pushed around, her dad decided it was time to introduce her to boxing.


When Elmore first walked into the gym, she met her coach, Marcus Reaves, and went to work on the heavy bag. After watching her throw a combination, Reaves and her dad told her to do it again. Elmore did, and the rest quickly followed.


“I walked in, I met the coach and I went to go punch the bag,” stated Elmore. “Coach and my dad looked at one another and told me to throw my combo again. I did, my coach added to it and from there we set the perfect training schedule for me and put that basketball to the curb!”


More than a decade later, Elmore has built an impressive résumé. The Sacramento, California, native has won multiple USA Boxing National Championships, a USA Boxing Junior Olympics, and a Silver Gloves title.


She has now represented Team USA at multiple international tournaments and has found immediate success at the next level, winning gold at the World Boxing Futures Cup earlier this year and bronze at the 2025 Brandenburg Cup.

(Photo by USA Boxing)

Through all of those accomplishments, her dad has remained one of the biggest influences in her life. Elmore credits him with helping shape the person and boxer she is today.


"My role model growing up was my father, absolutely,” stated Elmore. “I would spend all day and every day with my father picking up on all advice and lessons he would teach me, from what to look forward to in building my character, to my work ethic, to building up being my best self.”


Now, Elmore will have another opportunity to represent her country when she competes for Team USA at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro.


For Elmore, the goal is simple. She wants to make the most of every opportunity she has and leave Montenegro with a gold medal.


“Competing for Team USA at the U19 World Boxing Championships means taking full advantage of every opportunity God has aligned for me, wasting no time on the platforms I am blessed with, claiming my golds representing USA,” stated Elmore.

After starting boxing to become tougher on the basketball court, Elmore has built a career of her own in the ring. Now, she is ready to represent Team USA on the biggest stage of her young boxing career.


The 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships will take place in Budva, Montenegro, from October 14-28. For more information on the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships, please click HERE.

(Photo by USA Boxing)