Photo courtesy of USA Boxing Zion Hensley boxes during one of her fights at the USA Boxing Women’s Championships in Toledo.

For the fourth time, area fighter Zion Hensley is a national champion.

In just a few years of boxing, Hensley has risen up the ranks, toppling nationally-ranked fighter after nationally-ranked fighter, gaining more notoriety each time. That hasn’t stopped her from keeping her foot on the gas as much as possible.

Most recently, Hensley took the top spot in the intermediate weight class in the USA Boxing Women’s Championships at the Glass City Center in Toledo, going a perfect 6-0 throughout the tournament. Hensley toppled Makayla Moon from Tennessee in the championship bout.

Now a four-time national champion — which is an undisputed high for area fighters, male or female — the best part of the experience this time was having her father in her corner during bouts.

“I love it so much,” Hensley said. “I had so much fun. This is the best time too also, because my dad’s in my corner now.”

On this run to the national title, Hensley squared off with multiple girls her senior. Mehreen Khakh, a two-time Canadian national champion, Aliah Ortiz, a national champion from Texas, and Nissi Teulilo, another national champion from Hawaii, are all 15.

At the age of 13, Hensley is fighting against girls as old as 15. Given her choice in sparring partners, that isn’t an issue.

“I’m used to working with them anyway because I spar with grown women too, or with adults because I know I’m going to be fighting older kids,” Hensley said. “I know they have more experience than me, so if they have more experience, then I’ll get more experienced as well.

“It doesn’t really change your mentality. I just know I have to work harder because I know that they have some age on me, so I have to work harder.”

Never letting herself get too high or too low in big moments, Hensley is just happy to see her hard work pay off. Despite having only been fighting for five years, the 13-year old has four national titles under her belt.

When asked what she’d tell her younger self, Hensley is still thinking about fights she could have won, opting to give fighting tips.

“There’s a couple of fights that I feel like I could have done better in and I feel like I could have won,” Hensley said. “So I’d say move my head more, definitely, and be more busy.”

When it’s time for Hensley to hit the brakes for a bit however, that’s no issue. She’s a normal kid after all.

The four-time national champion still makes time for shopping, pool parties with her friends, going to the fair and playing with her dog, just like a regular kid.

After a week or so of fun however, Hensley can be seen walking around her home shadowboxing. Then the music played over her Bluetooth speaker changes. Both her and her father know that it’s time to get back in the gym again and train.

That’s what’s happening now in anticipation for her next bout. Hensley’s next fight is set for Sept. 2 in Pittsburgh against Sherlyn Resendiz.

The training is the same as always. Staying loose, staying on the move, and sparring older competition never hurts either.

“I’ve been sparring with older girls,” Hensley said. “I know that she’s a pressure fighter. So I know I’m going to have to move on this girl and use my angles and throw a lot of punches and stay busy.”

Donations can be made to help cover expenses at Zion Hensley (Official) on Facebook. A raffle is being held for gloves signed by Hensley and her trainer Kelly Pavlik.

byauger@tribtoday.com