Tucson teen raises the bar in Kettlebell Juggling, represents Navajo in an unusual new sport

By Robert Bettis
Navajo Times

CHINLE – While most young athletes chase glory on the basketball court or baseball field, 19-year-old Jazmin Lopez-Mastach of Tucson is making her own way in the lesser-known world of kettlebell juggling.

After just three to four months of training, the determined athlete took second place in two events at the recent Inaugural North American Kettlebell Juggling Open, earning recognition as “Rookie of the Year” and an invitation to compete at the prestigious World Games in London this fall.

Lopez-Mastach’s journey into this unique sport began unexpectedly last December when a coach at her local gym handed her a kettlebell and encouraged her to try flipping it. What started as an awkward curiosity quickly turned into coordinated passion.

“I surpassed his knowledge pretty quick,” Lopez-Mastach said with a laugh. “I started teaching myself tricks from Instagram, and the more I researched, the more I realized this was a real sport.”

Kettlebells, which are commonly found in weight rooms and valued for their diversity in resistance workouts, have been recently growing in popularity. Made popular by athletes and fitness celebrities like Joe Rogan, they are favored as an exercise tool for their adaptability and raw power. The sport of Kettlebell juggling combines strength, cardio, and precise hand-eye coordination as athletes toss the heavy weights in rhythmic patterns set to music. For Lopez-Mastach, the physical benefits have been undeniable.

“My endurance skyrocketed,” she explained. “My upper body muscles like my back, arms, and grip have gotten way stronger.”

Beyond the physical benefits, Lopez-Mastach found something equally valuable – a tight-knit community. At the Arizona competition, she connected with athletes from across North America who welcomed her with open arms.

“It didn’t even feel like a competition – it was more like a family,” she recalled. “If you dropped a bell, everyone cheered for you to pick it back up and keep going. We encouraged each other during team huddles and taught one another new techniques.”

The sport has also become a way for Lopez-Mastach to honor her Navajo and Mexican American heritage. Though she grew up with limited connection to her Navajo roots, she’s determined to represent her culture proudly. At competitions, she wears her Navajo heritage boldly and plans to incorporate traditional elements into her routines.

Her mother, Elena Lopez, couldn’t be prouder.

“She’s breaking generational trauma cycles,” Lopez said. “She is embracing her family culture by herself and creating her own path.”

As Lopez-Mastach prepares for the World Games in London this November – her first time leaving the country – she’s focused on perfecting new routines and raising funds for the journey. Right now, Lopez-Mastach is studying personal training and nutrition at Pima Community College, and long-term, she dreams of opening a gym to give back to her Navajo community.

“Fitness gave me an outlet I never knew I needed,” Lopez-Mastach said. “I want to give that to other kids who might not have the opportunity.”

With her rapid rise in the sport and commitment to her community, Lopez-Mastach isn’t just mastering kettlebell juggling – she’s uplifting her community with every toss and catch.

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