Making Waves in the Wrestling World
Leigh Jaynes, a successful high-profile athlete and entrepreneur, has had a remarkable journey filled with diverse experiences that have shaped her into the accomplished individual she is today. Growing up, she was encouraged by her mother to stay active and engaged in various activities, including gymnastics, dance, cheerleading, track & field, swimming, and music. Education was also a top priority for her family, which inspired Leigh to excel academically. Despite her many accomplishments, it wasn’t until her senior year of high school that Leigh discovered wrestling, a sport that would take her on a remarkable journey around the world with Team USA, to college, and even to the military.
Leigh Jaynes’ dedication to sports and nurturing new talent has resulted in a notable impact on the wrestling community. She teamed up with Anthony Amado and August Wesley, who Shared her Cabo Verdean heritage and a vision to create a United World Wrestling Federation for the region, which they successfully achieved. Leigh’s efforts have left a lasting legacy, enriching the lives of many young wrestlers in Cabo Verde.
Leigh Jaynes’ journey as an entrepreneur has not been without its challenges, but her unwavering work ethic and determination have helped her overcome them. She expresses, “If you want to be successful, you are going to have to get used to working hard. The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
Leigh and her team encountered a major hurdle in their business journey with the Covid-19 pandemic causing significant delays in obtaining necessary documents, resulting in them missing the Tokyo Olympics. Despite this setback, they remain focused on their goal of becoming Cabo Verde’s first Women’s wrestling Olympians in Paris 2024.
Her passion project, Cabo Verde Wrestling, has the potential to inspire people all over the world, and Leigh is committed to seeing it through. Her drive to develop wrestling at the grassroots level and identify talent for the World and Olympic stage is unwavering, and her passion for the sport continues to fuel her every day.
Leigh Jaynes sees herself as a tigress, driven by personal strength and courage. She is motivated by the journey and strives to improve herself in both wrestling and her business pursuits, rather than being in the rat race of power and money. Her determination and fierce spirit make her a true inspiration.
Leigh Jaynes’ admirable passion for wrestling and commitment to mentoring younger generations is exemplified through her partnership with the Providence County Wrestling Club in RI. The successful collaboration has surpassed expectations and brings hope for the future of Cabo Verde Wrestling. The federation’s impressive short-term goal of sending senior athletes to the African Championship and the long-term goal of establishing wrestling on Santiago Island are both exciting prospects. The Cabo Verde Wrestling Federation owes its accomplishments to Leigh Jaynes and her team’s leadership and dedication, along with the generous backing of The Papitto Foundation.
As a wrestler, she has a remarkable list of achievements, including being a 2015 World Medalist and 2015 Pan Am Medalist, as well as a three-time USA World Team Member. She also served as an Army Captain and was a member of the prestigious World Class Athlete Program. She is currently an
assistant coach at Grand Canyon University and is the proud owner of LJ Wrestling Inc and co-owner of Talents Wrestling Club.
Leigh Jaynes has had a distinguished career as a wrestler and has represented various clubs and organizations throughout her journey. She made six consecutive national teams from 2007 to 2012 and won a bronze medal at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in the women’s freestyle 60 kg category. Jaynes also competed in the 2007 and 2012 World Wrestling Championships and won bronze at the 2006 World Beach Wrestling Championships.
Leadership, according to Leigh Jaynes, is all about recognizing the unique talents of individuals and providing them with the necessary resources, mentorship, and opportunities to succeed. She believes in empowering her team to work collaboratively, learn from their mistakes, and always put their best foot forward.
Leigh Jaynes is encouraging readers to visit the websites of the Papitto Foundation, Providence County Wrestling Club, and Cabo Verde Wrestling Federation at Ijwrestlinginc.com to learn more about their initiatives and discover ways to support their causes. Leigh is also thankful to the federation President, Anthony Amado for his legwork in establishing the organization and providing this opportunity to Cabo-Verdean Wrestlers. She also emphasizes that they are halfway to their funding goal and that any contributions are tax deductible and greatly appreciated. She thanks everyone in advance for their support and looks forward to continuing to build and promote wrestling in Cabo Verde.
Leigh Jaynes is an example of someone who has achieved success through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Her passion for wrestling and commitment to developing talent have enabled her to create a lasting impact on the wrestling community, both in the United States and internationally.