Mandy Bujold qualifies for the Rio Olympics in boxing

Boxer Mandy Bujold is headed to the Rio Olympics this summer after she won the gold medal at the Olympic qualifiers in Buenos Aires last week.

"You work so hard for something and you imagine in your head what it's going to feel like or what that moment is going to be like and I don't think anything can actually prepare you for what if feels like," said Bujold.

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"You can't help but reflect on all the decisions and all the training and the sacrifices that you made leading up to that point, and it finally feels like it's all worth it."

Bujold, who grew up in Moncton, defeated Colombia's Ingrit Valencia 3-0 in the women's 51 kilogram division.

Bujold got into boxing when she lived in New Brunswick. Her older brothers came home one day with a two pairs of boxing gloves and a punching bag that he had picked up from a friend.

From her early beginnings in the sport in New Brunswick, she now trains in Kitchener, Ont. 

When it comes to international competition, Bujold is a veteran. Among her many titles, she has won two Pan Am gold medals.

But this will be her first trip to the Olympics.

She tried to qualify four years ago, but didn't make it due to how the Olympic qualifications were set up. It was the first time women's boxing was in the Olympics, and since then they've changed how athletes qualify. 

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"It was really disappointing for me because I knew I should have been there. I was the best girl in my continent at the time and I didn't end up going," said Bujold.

Bujold said that was one of the toughest things she has ever had to deal with. She took a few months off, as she tried to figure out what to do next.

"Everything in my life revolved around training and preparing for the 2012 Olympics so when it all just seemed like it fell apart right in front of me and I couldn't control anything it was really hard for me," said Bujold.

After that, Bujold started making changes. She changed coaches and moved her training to Toronto.

"It was devastating, but I was able to turn that around and focus for another four years and now it's finally paid off."

If Bujold hadn't made it to the finals of the Olympic qualifiers, she would have had another chance at the world championship.

But she said this way she can just focus on winning the world championships, without having the added pressure of qualifying for the Olympics.

"Qualifying for the Olympics is probably harder than winning a medal at the Olympics," said Bujold.

"Now that it's done and it's over I can relax and focus on competing and not have that weighing on my shoulders."