Destiny Chearino

Destiny Chearino ’12 is a doctoral student in physical therapy, but it’s in the boxing ring where she really gets physical.

Considered the best female boxer in her 141-pound weight class in New England, Destiny is among the best in the nation. And she could be on her way to the Olympics, which first recognized women’s boxing as an official sport in London in 2010. In January 2014, she competed in the U.S. Boxing Championships in Spokane, Wash. for a chance at a spot on Team USA.

“That match is a really big deal,’’ said Destiny, who won the New England Open Championships in 2012 and 2013, and the New England Golden Gloves in 2013. “It would be awesome to win because I’d get my name out there.’’

In fact, she did just that. In the quarterfinal round opener on January 23, Destiny defeated the defending light welterweight, claiming a berth in the semifinal on January 25 where she took the gold.

Destiny loved karate as a child, earned her black belt at age 11, and traveled as far a Italy to compete. But her desire for longer-lasting challenges with full physical contact motivated her to walk into a gym near her home and pick up a pair of boxing gloves. In no time she was beating opponents at regional competitions, winning the 2009 New England Golden Gloves.

“I liked the culture of boxing,” she said. “It gave me a lot of confidence, in and out of the gym.”

Brian Pennacchia, a former boxer and Destiny’s trainer, said, “She works harder than most of the guys I’ve trained. She has that fighting spirit… A lot of people get intimidated by the moment and don’t do their best in the ring because they’re almost afraid. She goes after what she wants. She’s a natural fighter.”

Boxing requires superb athleticism and in the months leading up to the championships in Spokane, Destiny’s been running in the morning and working out at night. Her regimen includes pushups, pulls ups, jumping rope, and step exercises, as well as practice punching with a combination of jabs, straight punches, uppercuts, and right hooks. Her diet is heavy on veggies, protein-packed foods like tuna and eggs, and water.

“Boxing is a great sport,’’ Destiny said. “It’s not about standing in a square punching each other. There’s so much more to it.’’

Back at URI, her professors are rooting for her and providing support so she can box and keep up with her studies.