By Juan Zurita Victoria, MBA, Chair of Athlete Support and Programs, Oax Sport
For athletes from underserved communities in Oaxaca, Mexico, the cost of registration, travel, and lodging can decide whether they compete.
Emily Barrera reached the ADCC Open Mexico in Mexico City with donor support. She also competed during a difficult week, while sick and without her body at 100%.
Even so, Emily placed 3rd in the women’s beginner -50 kg division at the regional ADCC Open Mexico on June 13, 2026.
Result
- Athlete: Emily Barrera
- Event: ADCC Open Mexico, Mexico City
- Date: June 13, 2026
- Venue: Complejo Deportivo Plan Sexenal
- Sport: No-gi submission wrestling
- Academy: Brazilian Warriors MX
- Division: Women’s Adult Beginner -50 kg
- Result: 3rd place (bronze)
- Record: Two matches, two losses. Lost 7-2 on points to Diana Pérez, then lost by submission to Elisa Melchor Ventura. Bronze awarded in the bracket.
Competing while sick
Emily said she felt nervous before competing because she knew her body was not at full strength.
She still stepped onto the mat and gave what she had that day.
“This time the matches felt heavier because my body couldn’t give 100%. I gave what I had, which was 100%, but I know I could have given more.”
(Translated from Spanish.)
Her main lesson was clear: health matters. Emily told Oax Sport that she does not want to compete while sick again.
That kind of honesty shows discipline and self-awareness.
What donations covered
Emily received $5,500 MXN (about $312 USD) in support. $2,000 MXN came from Emma, a donor based in Sauveterre-la-Lémance, France, and $3,500 MXN came from the Oax Sport general fund.
That support fully funded her essential competition costs:
- Tournament fee
- Transportation to Mexico City
- Accommodation
“It helped me a lot. It feels good to get support from people who believe in me.”
(Translated from Spanish.)
What donations did not cover
Support did not cover every expense. Emily paid for her own local transportation, food, supplements, and gear.
The public Givebutter campaign raised $115 of its $500 goal. Even with that shortfall, a donor and the Oax Sport fund fully covered Emily’s essential costs. We report what support did and what it did not do.
What Emily learned
Emily left Mexico City with more experience and a clearer sense of her level.
She said she now knows she can do more when she arrives in better physical condition. She also said the support from other people motivates her to keep training harder.
You can read more about Emily’s background in her Oax Sport MMA profile. You can also listen to her story in her Tribu al Extremo interview with Oax Sport.
What comes next
We will also publish the trilingual podcast episode and coverage of Emily’s next fight. Emily told Oax Sport that she has an amateur MMA fight scheduled for July 18 in Puebla at Girls Just Wanna Have Fun 2, an event organized by Felony Combat League. Her bout is planned at 50 kg.
Oax Sport will continue to track designated athlete support and report how donor funds reach athletes.
How to support the next athlete
Emily’s ADCC campaign showed something clear. Even a partial campaign can get an athlete to the start line, build experience, and bring them back with a clearer plan.
Your next donation can help another athlete from Oaxaca cover approved costs for travel, registration, lodging, meals, or other competition needs.
Donate to Oax Sport athlete support
Donations are processed securely through Givebutter.
If you have questions, need a receipt, or want to discuss a designated gift, please contact Oax Sport.
You can also review our members and leadership page to see the people behind Oax Sport’s athlete support work.
Legal and transparency
Oax Sport Inc. is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 86-3407818.
Oax Sport A.C. is a registered Mexican nonprofit based in Oaxaca, Mexico. RFC: OSP-230216-SG0.
Donations support athletes from underserved communities in Oaxaca, Mexico.
If you need a receipt or tax documentation, contact us and tell us whether you donated to Oax Sport Inc. in the United States or Oax Sport A.C. in Mexico.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who donated, shared the campaign, or encouraged Emily before ADCC Open Mexico.
Thanks to Emma and the Oax Sport fund, Emily reached the mat with her essential costs covered.
What would help you feel more confident about supporting the next Oax Sport athlete?
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