In a shocking turn of events, 13-year-old Beth Harris-Smoke, with almost 3,000 hours of boxing training, has risen to become a national boxing champion! This young prodigy from the Kanien’kehá:ka (Wolf Clan) in Six Nations of the Grand River, originally from Ontario, now resides near the Niagara Falls border in Sanborn, N.Y. But that’s just the beginning of her astonishing journey.
Raised by her grandparents since toddlerhood, Beth’s grandfather, Billy Logan, is not just a caregiver but also her relentless coach, pushing her to achieve an incredible 10,000 hours of training before competing for an Olympic spot in her late teens. She devotes two and a half hours a day, five days a week to her rigorous training regimen, proving that her dedication knows no bounds.
What’s more shocking is that Beth Harris-Smoke started her combat sports journey not out of innate aggression but as a means of self-defense and coping with bullies. Her compassion shines through, making her a true force to reckon with. She ventured into taekwondo at age seven and took up boxing at the age of eight. Her debut tournament in Toledo, Ohio, this summer left everyone stunned as she emerged as the intermediate female champion in the 80-kilogram and up division, conquering all three of her matches.
But Beth’s story isn’t just about boxing. She’s also training to be a setter for her school’s volleyball team, showcasing her versatility. In her downtime, she enjoys music, TikTok, hanging out with friends, and playing video games like any other teenager. Her boxing style, described as a counter-puncher with a clever trapping strategy, has opponents baffled.
Her former trainer, Anthony Lenk, attests to the hidden fierceness within her. Despite her timid and bashful demeanor, there’s an undeniable beast on the inside. As she prepares for the USA Boxing tournament in Louisiana this December, coinciding with the USA Olympic boxing team trials, Beth Harris-Smoke stands as an inspiration, a symbol of determination, and a force of nature in the world of sports. National champions in the youth and junior divisions will soon feel the tremors of her arrival, as she sets her sights on Team USA and the Olympics, shocking the world with her undeniable talent and relentless drive to be stronger.
