Jamel Herring

Sport: Boxing

Nation: United States of America

DOB: October 30, 1985

Career Highlights: Considering where Herring stood last winter, it's somewhat of a surprise he has the opportunity to go for a medal in London. He won his weight class at last year's U.S. Olympic trials and headed to the world championships looking to claim a bid to the Games, but that chance went by the wayside after being dominated in his opening bout. The loss meant he would have to earn back his spot on the U.S. team at this year's nationals, leaving the Marine Corps sergeant so deflated that he considered taking a break from boxing to finish his military career. A trip to London in November for a test bout at the Olympic venue changed his mind, even though he lost to an Englishman. "Fighting one of the British fighters and getting a lot of love and respect from the English crowd, I was like, 'I want to do this. I want to get here," Herring said. He did just that by winning the 2012 national title and going on to reach the semifinals at the Americas Olympic Qualifier, enough to secure his place in London. A father of three who served two tours of duty in Iraq, Herring was the 2011 Armed Forces champion and the 2010 World Military Games silver medalist.

Olympic History: None