VIDEO. Handi-boxing, a sport to knock out differences

In the boxing gym on Wednesday evening, we hear the dull sound of gloves on the skin, the sound of the skipping rope skimming the ground, the breath of the boxers and in the midst of its banal noises around a ring, we guess that of the electric motor of a wheelchair. For ten years, the Paul Bert circle in Rennes has had a « handi-boxing » section. A dozen boxers come every week to play punches and gain muscle and confidence.

« When I put on my gloves, I forget everything. My chair, my handicap, the week which has not always been good, I forget everything.“Charlotte Lamamy has cerebral palsy. She arrived at training in a fluorescent yellow tank top, feminine to the end of her turquoise nails matching her earrings.

But for a few months, on Wednesdays, she eats pasta, the « sports meals« . She wants to be in shape and refuses to miss a session. « I love fighting“, she said with a big smile. « Boxing makes me feel good. »

Life in a wheelchair all day isn’t fun… but now, I’m having fun!

All boxers say it: when their hands rush into the leather, nothing matters but the next uppercut. Their universe is refocusing between the ropes of the ring.

Laurent Morin was a boxer when a nasty illness fell on him. He tried other sports, but returned to his first love. « It clears my head, when I go out, I’m zen » he confides. « Life in a wheelchair all day isn’t fun… but now, I’m having fun! »

The lesson begins with a warm-up session. The seven boxers hit the sandbags which begin to dance under their assaults. Kevin Philisot feels the muscles in his arms and body work. “I often have a lot of painhe explains, but with boxing, I control the pain. »

« It’s physical and muscle, confirms Antonin Djadel, sports educator Cercle Paul Bert. « All the efforts that we make in the room, it then helps them for all the daily gestures, the transfers (the passages from one chair to another), the displacements. With each direct right, with each hook, they gain a little muscle, flexibility and confidence.

« In life, we can’t hit those who annoy usloose Kevin in a big burst of laughter. There we can. Well, we imagine it’s them! »

Because in handi-boxing, there are no blows or knockouts, the fights are won on the touchline. The armchairs of the two fighters face each other and… BIM. « Go ahead, when he lowers his guard, you strike, there, it’s good, » encourages Antonin. « Aim for the head, that’s where it hurts. » he smiled. As soon as they « touch » where they are « affected », the boxers let their happiness burst on their face.

At the foot of the ring, Charlotte and the others cease to be people with disabilities who must always be protected. « It’s important to break that image, Charlotte insists. At home, I’m a fragile little thing, but outside, we have to show who we are, we have to break down the barriers of society. »

« They go there too, they put it on, says Antonin. From time to time, it bleeds a little from the nose. A boxer is boxing. They come for that. »

In the room, a few meters from Antonin’s class, other boxers are training. At the end of the session, every Wednesday, they meet for a round.

In the room, we are all boxers, we sweat the same, we breathe the same.

« There are some who box much better than me, humbly acknowledges Matthieu Baudet. On a technical level, they touch me every time. Charlotte has a big strike, she sends direct that jostles a lot. In the room, we are all boxers, we sweat the same, we breathe the same, we are tired the same at the end of the round! « 

« What matters is not the force of the blows you give, it’s the number of blows you take while continuing to move forward. What you manage to endure while walking with your head held high « explains Rocky in the film that bears his name.

At each training, all put their worries KO … they cash and move forward!