Hometown Hero: Caldwell’s Olympian Alyssa Mendoza returns from Paris

CALDWELL — After a history-making turn as the only female Olympic boxer to come from Idaho, a hero’s welcome was in store for Caldwell’s Alyssa Mendoza as she returned home from France.

The Middleton High graduate, whose 21st birthday is Saturday, waved to neighbors lining the downtown streets as she sat atop a fire truck during a brief homecoming parade, and tearfully thanked her family and community for their support during a reception at Indian Creek Steakhouse. She was honored by Mayor Jarom Wagoner in a proclamation declaring Aug. 16 to be Alyssa Mendoza Day, and a Hometown Hero plaque, gift basket and an honorary Key to the City were all bestowed upon her.

“I always keep saying that it’s unreal, even the feeling of all this right now just feels like unexpected blessings,” said Mendoza’s mother, Wendy Mendoza. “The thing I always tell her is, dreams really do come true.”

A featherweight, Mendoza’s journey to the 2024 Olympics involved qualification attempts at tournaments in Chile, Italy and finally, Thailand, to get her ticket to compete.

In her first Olympic match on July 30, Mendoza defeated Tajikistan’s Mijgona Samadova in a 3-2 split decision, before falling to Brazil’s Jucielen Cerqueira Romeu in another split decision, 4-1, on Aug. 2.

“Hearing people chant ‘USA!’ and the bright lights of being the center of attention is kind of a scary feeling, but at the same time it’s one of the best feelings you’ll ever experience,” Mendoza said. “I’ve been a little sad that I didn’t medal … but coming back home to the community and how excited they are, their support means the world.”

Outside the ring, Mendoza mingled with some of the biggest names among Team USA’s 593 other members, including sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, whom she describes as “really bubbly and sweet.” She got to explore Paris as a sightseer, visiting Versailles palace and the Eiffel Tower.

As for the future, Mendoza’s heart remains set on 2028, when the Summer Olympics will come to Los Angeles. She trains in Colorado Springs, where she’s spent most of her time in preparation to compete, but plans to remain in Idaho with her family for the next few months.

“There’s a lot of work that I need to do to get better. One of my main goals is to be able to dominate the world,” Mendoza said. “To say you’re the best in the world, not very many people can do that.”