Meet Lisa Kuronya Coombs, Boxing Champion and Trainer
Lisa Kuronya Coombs stands tall and slender, exuding grace with her blonde hair and sparkling blue-green eyes. At first glance, one might mistake her for a fashion model, but she is, in fact, a renowned boxer.
Champion Accomplishments
From 2001 to 2009, Kuronya Coombs made her mark in boxing, earning accolades as a regional, national, and international champion. Her impressive record includes three national Golden Gloves titles, two USA Boxing national championships, a world championship, and two international bronze medals. With 53 sanctioned fights and only five losses, she led the USA Boxing women’s team for two years, advocating for equality in women’s boxing. Her achievements have earned her a spot in the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. Had she not “aged out” at 36, she could have competed in the Olympic trials for boxing’s inaugural women’s event.
Transition to Training
Initially, Kuronya Coombs had no desire to step into the ring, simply seeking a workout. However, her talent rapidly emerged, leading her to win her first ten regional matches, half by technical knockout. Now at 50 years old, she trains both women and men in intense one-on-one sessions at The Boxing Studio, located in a converted garage on Augusta Road in Topsham.
The Boxing Studio Experience
The studio is equipped with various punching bags but lacks a boxing ring, as Kuronya Coombs focuses on fitness rather than competitive fighting. Her space is adorned with championship belts, trophies, and photos that her husband insisted be displayed as part of her “resume.”
Intense Training Sessions
During a recent training session, Tammy Champagne, a nurse, prepared for her intense workout by wrapping her hands and putting on boxing gloves. Kuronya Coombs utilized focus mitts, guiding Champagne through a series of fast-paced punching sequences, all accompanied by upbeat music and a countdown timer. For the full hour, the two engaged in high-energy punching, jumping jacks, and calisthenics, creating a vigorous and engaging workout environment.
Overcoming Challenges
Originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Kuronya Coombs faced challenges growing up, especially regarding her height. After pursuing a degree in environmental science and working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, she transitioned to boxing after an unfortunate injury at a kickboxing class ignited her determination to learn self-defense. Eventually, she moved to Maine and discovered her passion for boxing at the Portland Boxing Club, which was predominantly male at the time.
Advocacy and Legacy
Kuronya Coombs also passionately advocated for women’s boxing. She experienced discrimination at national competitions where men received benefits women did not. In 2006, she and the Portland Boxing Club took legal action against USA Boxing; the lawsuit concluded successfully, resulting in equal treatment for male and female amateur boxers. Today, she continues to inspire through her training studio, profoundly impacting the lives of her students, particularly women getting into boxing for fitness and empowerment.
