SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The annual Fit for Life Health and Fitness Expo welcomes area residents to take on the challenge of living happier, healthier lives.
The free event brought together vendors from throughout Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas to showcase their health, safety, fitness and nutrition services.
“Of course the library has a lot of activities going on over the summer to help the kids read and keep up with their schoolwork,” said Cassidy and Desiree Cornelius, a family from Shreveport-Bossier. “We also stopped by the blood donation station. We think donating blood is an important thing.”
Local residents and visitors to the area were able to enjoy arm wrestling, Karate USA and the highly anticipated boxing tournament.
The George DeMent Classic VII featured young fighters from across the region. Fighters ranged in age from 8 to 20 years old and also featured sparring matches for fighters who couldn’t box in the ring.
“We have teams from Mississippi, South Louisiana and Dallas, so we get a lot of kids from all over. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to get to know each other and become friends. I’ve become friends with everyone on this team,” said Jake Demento, head coach of Demento Brothers Boxing Club.
The expo had many sponsors, including our very own KTAL/KMSS family. Digital anchors and presenters Brittany Defran and Jezzamine Wolk said they loved that the event was both fun and educational.
“We already know that health and wellness is a really important topic right now, but it’s so great to see the Shreveport-Bossier community coming together. We’ve got Title Boxing here, Jazzcise here and Kung Fu right behind it. It’s an honor for KTAL to be a part of this, as it is every year,” Wolk said.
Youngsters stole the show at the expo, with medals, trophies and belts up for grabs. Boxer Elijah Jones of Global Fitness Centre has been boxing for three years, after his father inspired him to take up the sport.
After an exciting match, Jones emerged victorious and took home the championship belt.
“The time you put in running, the time you put in weight training, the skill of boxing will pay off. You just have to keep trying, keep working harder, keep pushing yourself harder and it will pay off,” Jones said.
