'That’s a funny thing:' How obsessive compulsive disorder, boxing mix for Olympian Virginia Fuchs

TOKYO -- Still dazed after losing a fight that could end her Olympic career, American boxer Virginia Fuchs offered insight into her struggle outside of the ring.

She has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which has led to anorexia when she was in middle school, turned her bathroom into “a prison’’ because of her compulsive hand washing and led to her being hospitalized in 2019.

But Fuchs, 33, explained how OCD also helped her as a boxer.

Yes, helped her.

“That’s a funny thing,’’ she said. “Part of my OCD has gotten me to this moment, to this point. And pushed me to become the athlete and boxer I am today.

“The way I approach my OCD is I put all of myself into it, with my rituals. It has to be perfect and in the right way and with the right feeling. So if you translate that into boxing, I put all myself into boxing. I have to feel it, it has to be right and I won’t stop until it’s right.’’

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But sometimes it must stop.

In a flyweight bout, Fuchs lost a unanimous decision to Stoyka Zhelyazkova Krasteva of Bulgaria after winning her opening bout here. There was little to soothe her.

“I definitely thought it was close,’’ she said. “I would’ve thought I’d get the split decision, to be honest with you.’’

And two fights in the Olympics was not enough.

“No, I’m not OK with it,’’ she said. “I definitely came here to win gold, so I’m pretty mad about that.’’

She began boxing a decade ago when she was attending LSU, and wasn’t ready to talk about whether she’ll try to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

During her path to Tokyo, she has shared her personal story and has emerged as a mental health advocate. Fuchs said she was proud of Simone Biles for withdrawing from competition when the pressure grew too intense for the superstar gymnast.

“I’m very proud of Simone and it takes a lot of strength to do that, and you got to put yourself first and your health first.’’ Fuchs said. “I think a lot of people don’t understand. …She did the right thing for herself and the country, honestly. So I’m very proud of her.’’

But where gymnastics has created intense pressure for Biles, boxing has helped Fuchs endure her challenges with OCD.

“Boxing has given me like a focus and almost like a purpose,’’ Fuchs said, adding, “When I don’t have that, that’s when my OCD kind of takes control.’’

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tokyo Olympics: How OCD, boxing mix for American Virginia Fuchs