Quiroz seeks Kickboxing championships and sponsors to take him, and Hornell international
By: Johanna Elattar
A native of Hornell, Andreas “The Aztec” Quiroz is more than a fighter—he’s a hometown outsider proving that heart, grit, and perseverance can take you to the world stage. At 24, he’s already claimed three major titles: ISKA 60-kg National Kickboxing Champion, ISKA New York State 135-lb Champion, and Full Contact Promotions 135-lb Champion. This October, he will proudly represent Team USA at the 2025 ISKA World Championships in Brisbane, Australia (Oct. 15–19), competing in both K-1 Kickboxing and Unified Rules Kickboxing with the goal of bringing home two gold medals.
Andreas’s path hasn’t been easy. He began training before the COVID-19 pandemic, and when his first gym closed, he feared his fighting dream was over. “I honestly didn’t know if I could keep going,” he admits. In January 2024, he joined Roots Combat Academy, where he found more than just a gym—he found a team and a sense of belonging he’d been searching for. “There were times I felt defeated,” he says, “but my teammates inspire me every day to push harder. Coaching the kids especially reminds me I’m part of something bigger than myself.”
Andreas says martial arts has shaped him far beyond the ring. “It’s not just about winning fights,” he says. “It’s about humility, endurance, and learning to be better every single day. Taking the longer road made me who I am today.” While championships matter, coaching is where his heart truly lies. He teaches striking classes for kids ages 7–14 and co-coaches the adult program with trainer Matt Jordan. “Seeing the kids grow, watching them push through something tough—that’s worth more than any medal,” he says. “I want to coach for the rest of my life.” When asked what sets him apart from other fighters, Andreas doesn’t hesitate: “I have heart. That’s what makes me different.”
He’s not just teaching kicks and punches—he’s teaching life. “This sport is serious,” he says. “There will be days you don’t want to do it anymore. But those are the days that matter most. Go in with an open mind. Work hard. Trust your coaches. Be disciplined. It won’t be easy—but nothing worth doing ever is.”
The trip to Brisbane comes with a $4,000 cost, covering airfare, fight gear, registration, and lodging for him and his coach. To make this dream a reality, Andreas is seeking sponsorships from local businesses and community members through a tiered sponsorship plan designed to give back and promote supporters:
🥉 Bronze Tier – $300
- Shoutouts on Andreas’s social media
- Tagged in relevant fight and training posts
- Promotion lasts 3 months from sponsorship start
🥈 Silver Tier – $600
- All Bronze benefits
- Reposting/sharing your business’s relevant content
- 2 custom posts per month advertising your product/service
- Your logo featured on his fight shirt at all combat sports events for 6 months
🥇 Gold Tier – $1,000
- All Bronze and Silver benefits
- Your logo featured on his fight shorts (not on Team USA gear due to regulations, but on all other competition gear)
- Promotion extends for 12 months from sponsorship start
“By sponsoring me, your business will be part of a high-level international sporting event with visibility both online and in live competitions,” Andreas says. “Combat sports changed my life. I want to show others they can do it too, no matter their background. My dream is to pave the way for others to achieve things they never thought possible.”
Andreas Quiroz isn’t just fighting for medals—he’s fighting to inspire Hornell’s next generation and prove that greatness can come from their hometown. Those who wish to support him can reach out at andreasquiroz17@gmail.com, and follow his journey on Instagram: @theaztec110, or connect on Facebook
Johanna Elattar is a journalist and author whose work bridges personal narrative and investigative insight. Based in Hornell, NY, she writes for the Hornell Sun and Wellsville Sun, covering local stories, social justice, and national issues. Her reporting has been recognized internationally, her work is featured in the forthcoming 4th edition of Race & Racisms (Oxford University Press, 2026). Beyond journalism, Johanna is the author of the upcoming novella Hollow Echo and regularly explores complex topics with honesty, clarity, and depth, giving voice to overlooked communities and nuanced stories. You can reach her anytime, americangrrl70@gmail.com
