00:00Archie Hayes has been training at Bristol's Paddy John's Boxing Gym for 18 months,
00:06showing consistent skill development under coach Andy O'Kane's supervision.
00:11Archie was born blind, but that didn't stop him from following in the footsteps of his brother, Josh, 15, who's
00:19also a boxer.
00:20I like it because it makes me really strong and powerful.
00:26The 10-year-old has been learning boxing using a method called Punch by Numbers.
00:31His coach, Andy O'Kane, 62, calls out numbers to indicate specific moves.
00:37One for jab, two for cross, three for hook and four for uppercut.
00:41And he does everything that any young person involved in boxing does.
00:47Archie was born blind, but it took doctors seven months to get a full diagnosis.
00:52After several tests, the little boxer was diagnosed with labour congenital amaurosis,
00:57a rare inherited eye disorder affecting the retina.
01:01Archie trains three times a week alongside other young boxers.
01:04His coach explains that Archie memorises every instruction,
01:08allowing him to follow sequences accurately and participate fully in sparring sessions.
01:16Archie's parents, Fred and Natalie Hayes, emphasise that they've encouraged independence,
01:22letting him engage with the sport without extra protection,
01:25which has helped him develop confidence as well as physical strength.
01:30His mum said he was born blind, so we don't know any different to everybody else,
01:35so that's his way of life.
01:37You know, even I have a little touch bar with my grandson,
01:41and my grandson speaks as he moves around so that Archie can track him.
01:46And that's also good for the kids, yeah.
01:48There's no big deal.
01:49They're training, Archie's over there training,
01:51and the fact that he can't see doesn't mean anything.
01:53I'm really proud that you chose our club.
01:56I wish you hadn't chose me.
01:59I'm really proud of the fact that a blind young boy can be included in the sport
02:03and in this club, and if that sends out a message to other blind kids
02:07to have a little try down their boxing club,
02:08then that's fantastic.
02:10You can't want for more good job.
02:11I'm at my boxing gym.
02:14Boxing teaches you to, like, become powerful and strong and, like, tough.
02:20Archie, who often tunes in to hear boxing combats,
02:23says he's hoping to keep doing boxing for a long time.
02:26He's also had the chance to meet some big names in the boxing world,
02:30including Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker and Connor Benn.
02:35Coach O'Kane highlights the importance of inclusion and open-mindedness in sport,
02:40noting that Archie's presence in the club demonstrates that visually impaired children
02:45can fully take part in conventional training.
02:48The approach combines traditional boxing techniques with adaptive guidance,
02:53enabling Archie to build skills, coordination and resilience.
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