"The Lord is my strength," says a 25-year-old female amateur boxer who has qualified for the Olympic trials.

Grace Fanhbulleh, is preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic trials taking place December 16-22 in Montreal, Canada.

Fanhbulleh has been an athlete all her life. She played college basketball, represented schools in track and field, cross-country, and soccer. 

Today she not only is an amateur boxer working her way to the Olympics, but she also has a heart for her community. She is a community resource worker in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a student at the University of Winnipeg pursuing an Urban and Inner-city Studies degree.

"I am ready. Winning that fight brought the lioness out in me."

She began boxing in 2015 to stay fit while playing college basketball. One day as she was walking into the gym for another 6 a.m. basketball practice she realized the sport was no longer her love. 

Fanhbulleh did not plan on attending the Olympic trials this year, she was surprised by her coach with the opportunity. "I was nervous, I was scared, I was waiting for 2024.

"But, I am so glad he put my name forward. I trust my coach," Fanhbulleh says. After a victorious match on October 15, 2019, it was set, she was on her way to the trials. 

"I am ready. Winning that fight brought the lioness out in me and helped me stop doubting myself. It would mean the world to me to go the Olympics," she says. 

"Every day I thank God and put Him first. When you do that, everything you do changes."

For Fanhbulleh, this journey has not been easy. She has fought off many personal trials and tribulations.

Her mother passed away in March of 2016. "When my mom passed, that was the worst thing that's ever happened to me. Just having boxing helped me go through it.

"I fell into depression for three years. I had to find that strength to get up in the morning. I think about my mom, I think about all that she sacrificed for us to have a better life. That keeps me going. Yes, my mom is gone, but I'm here, I can still work," Fanhbulleh says. 

Her faith strengthens her. "God is good. He is forgiving and patient. He is everything. Once my faith got stronger, I was overcoming so many things," she says.

Fanhbulleh does one thing prior to each match. "Before I step into the ring I always say a prayer, even if I'm having a bad day I pray to Him and appreciate everything He's done for me. Every day I thank God and put Him first. When you do that, everything you do changes," she says. 

Exodus 15:2 was her mother's favourite verse and for Fanhbulleh it is a source of comfort to recite from the verse the words, "the Lord is my strength" at each match.

The Olympic trials for boxing include a one-week tournament with three fights for each boxer. The winner of the final will represent Canada at the Olympics in Tokyo.