Rio's boxing school for at-risk youth reopens

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Updated

From the favelas to the ring

This boxing school in Rio’s slums

is a safe space for its 50 students

from the Morro do Tuiuti favela

The school closed over lockdown

but trainers felt they had to re-open

(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) TEACHER AND FOUNDER OF THE "DEL MORRO PARA EL RING" PROJECT, BRUNA COSTA MENDES DA SILVA, SAYING:

"When some things started opening, we saw our students getting involved in drug trafficking so we found ourselves in a position where we had to resume classes. But we’ve done this with all possible measures to protect the students and ourselves."

Trainers hope the boxing will build discipline

and show kids an alternative lifestyle

while keeping them off the streets

(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) STUDENT, MARYA ALEXANDRA, SAYING:

"I am going to study a lot and I am going to focus a lot - as much in boxing as in my schooling. I am going to get to the top and win! I am going to show the world that I am not just another girl called Marya."