The Godinez sisters are a force to be reckoned with.
Lupita (Loopy) Godinez has achieved four consecutive victories in the UFC and holds the 10th spot among strawweight contenders. Ana Godinez made history as one of the initial Canadian wrestlers to secure a place in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Carla Godinez, a bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championship, aims to qualify for the Olympics after the final qualifying round in Istanbul next month.
Mariana, the eldest sister, is a devoted mother of two. Loopy, at 30, is the oldest, followed by Mariana (28), Carla (25), and Ana (24).
When Lupita was 14, her family relocated from Mexico to Vancouver to escape a threat posed by a drug cartel to their father’s car business. Initially told they were going to Disneyland for the holidays, the family faced challenges in Canada due to the language barrier and financial constraints.
“Life was tough when our family moved to Canada. We had to do odd jobs like washing dishes, babysitting, painting, and cleaning to make ends meet,” shared Ana, who was eight years old at the time of the move.
Despite the initial hardships, the sisters have excelled in their respective sports.
Loopy’s journey began with judo in Mexico, continued with Jiu-Jitsu in Canada, and led her to mixed martial arts after being inspired by Olympic judo medalist Ronda Rousey. Following her successful amateur debut in 2016, Loopy swiftly rose in the UFC, securing notable wins and setting records.
She recently conquered four opponents in the UFC within a year, making her mark in MMA. Loopy, with a record of 12-3-0, faces No. 5 Vilna (Calcala) Jandirova on Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey, aiming to further elevate her standing in the UFC.
Anna, on the other hand, has made significant strides in wrestling, earning medals at various championships and eyeing a transition to MMA like her sister.
The sisters’ resilience, determination, and accomplishments underscore their prowess both in their athletic pursuits and as mothers.
This article, authored by The Canadian Press, was initially published on March 29, 2024.
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Neil Davidson, Canadian Press
