'So overwhelming': Community celebrates young boxer heading to 2024 Olympics
From the Orlando boxing ring to the international stage – family and friends celebrated Omari Jones Sunday as the young boxer prepares to represent Team USA in the 2024 Olympics.
Food, music, pictures and hugs were part of sending off the champion in love and joy.
"This is something that I've been dreaming about," Jones said.
Jones found his ultimate passion in boxing at 8 years old after his parents put him and his brothers in karate.
"I just love the competitiveness," Jones said. "You go through the ups and downs with your team, of course, but it's really all the work that you put in and you get out."
Jones, who is now 21, was born and raised in Central Florida.
"Coming from Orlando, [my community] seeing me as a kid, everybody's just like amazed, like, wow. Like he actually did what he set out to do," Jones said.
Jones' village threw him a party in Oviedo, Florida, which is where many of his family members were born and raised.
Everyone from his grandparents, aunts, uncles, coaches and teachers were there to wish him luck before the champion left for Paris.
One of Jones' proudest fans is the man who raised him.
"It feels great right now," Karl Jones said, who is Omari Jones' father. "I don't know how to feel because it's just so overwhelming."
Karl Jones said his son's discipline and determination helped him make it this far.
"He always strived to do more than what's needed," Karl Jones said.
It's the kind of fight that Omari Jones hopes will inspire the next generation.
"If I came out of Orlando and did it, I'm setting a trend and I believe [the kids] can do it too for sure," Jones said.
Jones will leave for the Olympic training center in Colorado.
He will then head to Paris to compete in July.