Te Maori: Can-do attitude sets example

BOXING CLEVER: Traydee Akuhata-Brown loves his twice-weekly training sessions at the Rotovegas Boxing Gym in Owhata with Aaron Warren (left). PHOTO/BEN FRASER 260314BF2

A 10-year-old with an "attitude of champions" is winning respect and overcoming obstacles at a Rotorua boxing gym.

Traydee Akuhata-Brown (Tuwharetoa, Ngati Porou) has been training at the Rotovegas Boxing Gym in Owhata twice a week for two years.

The gym's head coach, Aaron Warren, said Traydee had been inspirational because of how he'd taken to the sport he now loves. Traydee was born with a haematoma on his brain which affects the left side of his body and movement in his left arm is restricted.

"Although Traydee may have certain challenges he has a fantastic attitude I wish everyone could have," Mr Warren said. "We've trained a lot of champions at this gym but if they all had his attitude they'll be going to the Olympics.

"The way that he thinks and the effort he puts in has been superb. When he first started he couldn't even do a proper press-up and now he can do 20. He turns up to every session."

Traydee became involved in the sport through the programme Champion Made, which is run by Rotovegas Boxing Gym at Owhata Primary School and others in the city, with the support of First Sovereign Trust.

"It involves a lot of mentoring. We go into the school to reinforce the basics, how important it is to go to school, doing your homework, respecting your mum and dad, doing right in the community.

"It helps because it's an individual sport, it helps with a lot of self-discipline, determination and dedication that boxers go through and helps transfer that into their schooling," Mr Warren said. "We've been based in Owhata School for five years and some of the basic, simple things we've seen is kids coming to school more often, their attitude changing for the better with their schoolwork and at home."

Traydee's dad, Dave Wall, said boxing had helped his son gain greater movement and strength in his left arm.

"We couldn't go play rugby, so we found it hard to find a sport for him to do. He's been doing this for two years now and even the doctors say it's been spectacular the improvement he's made," Mr Wall said.

"He loves coming here and getting involved."

He trains and spars with children his own age and older and his enthusiasm means Mr Warren has appointed him as manager of the gym's equipment. "We wanted to give him a job in recognition and we often travel out of town so he will be able to come with us," he said.

Traydee was full of boxing advice. "It's best to use speed when you box and turn your knuckles and make sure that you have eye contact," he said. "When I used to try and do press-ups it was kind of hard but now I can about 15 to 20."