3 Air Force boxers advance to state championship Published March 3, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Two of the Air Force's top boxers qualified for the Texas Golden Gloves Open Boxing Championship by winning their weight division matches in the San Antonio Regional Golden Gloves Championship Feb. 22. The Golden Gloves competition is a national event sponsored by the Golden Gloves Association of America which strives to provide a safe environment that promotes and enhances the physical and emotional well-being of athletes. Super heavyweight Staff Sgt. Kent Brinson Jr. and welterweight Airman Ruben Saenz punched their way through the competition to lock-in their spots for the Texas State Golden Gloves Tournament which was Feb. 26 - March 1. Heavyweight Airman 1st Class Thompson also advanced to the State Golden Gloves Championship as his opponent, who won the heavyweight division, was unable to advance. Additionally, Airman 1st Class Eric Glaude won the super heavyweight novice title at the San Antonio Regional Championship. "The San Antonio region is a hotbed of boxing with very competitive athletes in all weight classes," said Col. Mason Pigue, Air Force Personnel Center services operations chief. "We are all very proud of the boxers who advanced to the Texas Golden Gloves Championship and all the boxers who represented the Air Force at the regional level. Last year we had one Airman make it to the state championship and this year we had three. This shows the boxing community that our organization can hold its own." Following the event, Airman Saenz was presented the Dylan Baker Courage Award, where he was recognized for his tenacious and enthusiastic approach to the sport of boxing. The Air Force boxing team was also presented with the Team Sportsmanship Award and finished in second out of 34 teams in team point standings. "The Air Force boxing team was very proud to win the sportsmanship award at regionals," Brown said. "It exemplifies the core values of the Air Force. The Air Force athletes serve as an example of dedication and gracefully accepting the outcome of competitions - win or lose."