A winning combination for Autism Awareness. Adam & Ayub Mumin interview Professional Welterweight Boxer Sajid Abid

In today's Fighting For Autism blog,  two young and inspiring brothers with a love for boxing have accepted our challenge to interview someone from the sport or martial art that they take part in or that they are passionate about.

Fighting For Autism has been so incredibly fortunate to have some amazing ambassadors and gyms from the boxing community have actively become involved in helping us to raise some much needed autism awareness around the globe but also strive for inclusion and acceptance for those living with autism, at the beginning of the COVID 19 lock down period in the UK some of our junior ambassadors, coach ambassadors and fighter ambassadors were put through an online training session with former W.B.C world champion, Olympic and Commonwealth games medallist Wayne "Pocket Rocket"McCullough,  where Wayne put everyone through their paces and took time to show the medals and belts hes won over his illustrious career and then answered questions at the end, the session featured people of all abilities including some who are on the autistic spectrum, again a massive "Thank You" to Wayne and Cheryl McCullough for being absolutely amazing, everyone had a fantastic time.     

The video of the workout can be found on YouTube at the following link.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=3GdrTyaZom4&feature=youtu.be

Allow us to introduce Adam and Ayub Mumin, to say these two rather amazing young gentlemen are interested in boxing would be an understatement, boxing also strengthens their brotherly bond and allows the traits to shine through that makes them champions in their own right.

Adam is a superstar of the autistic spectrum and despite the challenges he faces with the loving support of his family, his love of boxing and some gentle encouragement from Ayub, Adam is going from strength to strength. 

To say the Mumin family are boxing fans would be an understatement, with both Adam and Ayub's Instagram accounts featuring them practising their boxing skills, but also sharing important messages on initiatives like knives down, hands up which aims to combat knife crime show wisdom beyond their years and the champion mindset they have,  the bond that they have is a amazing to watch.        (Although everyone at Fighting For Autism is a bit envious of Ayub having his picture taken with boxing royalty and three weight world boxing champion Vasiliy Lomachenko)

The rather remarkable Adam Mumin

We asked Adam and Ayub if they would like to interview  professional welterweight boxer and Fighting For Autism Fighter Ambassador Sajid Abid.

 

Sajid Abid is a professional welterweight boxer, who trains and fights out of Gym City Boxing in Derby, United Kingdom with an impressive 9-1-0 professional record to his name, he is renowned for his pace, work rate  and endurance when he competes.

Sajid has been amazing in helping to raise autism awareness and acceptance, Sajid himself offered assistance to young gentleman named Daniel who is on the autistic spectrum, Daniel had been subjected to some pretty nasty bullying that made the attention of the local newspapers where Sajid lives.

Not only did Sajid offer a hand in friendship to Daniel, he also offered him the chance to come and try his hand at boxing, which gave the chance for Daniel to rebuild confidence, get healthy, make new friends as well as learn some boxing skills too.

Adam and Ayub Interview Professional Welterweight Boxer Sajid Abid

  Introducing today's interviewers Ayub and Adam Mumin

 Ayub asks - How long have you been boxing?

" I've been boxing since the age of 12! Only took it seriously when i was 19, turned pro at 20 and now I'm here as a professional with 10 fights at 26 years old".

Ayub asks - What got you into boxing?

"I wasn't ever the most confident or fittest but I loved my sport!my asthma use to play up a lot so i found my ability was hindered. So i decided to go into boxing with the help of my uncle to try battle that and its been the best thing ever for me".

Ayub asks - How much do you train?

"I train twice a day. Morning strength and condition and evening boxing work followed by a run".

 Sajid Abid in competition

Adam asks - Whats your favourite punch in boxing?

"My fave punch has to be a right uppercut, love the feeling when you catch a sweet connection"!

Adam asks- Who is your favourite boxer?

"My fave boxer is Mohammed Ali. The man, the legend, the greatest"!

Adam asks- What dream fight would you like to see?

"My dream fight would be to watch Goku fight Superman, I love my anime and superheros haha! But boxing wise... being able to watch any of Mohammed Ali's fight live would be a dream."

On behalf of everyone at Fighting For Autism, we wanted to say a massive "Thank You" to Sajid  for taking part in this interview and also to Adam and Ayub Mumin and their family.

You can follow Sajid on his Instagram account at  www.Instagram.com/sajidabid 

If you would like to share a positive story from the autistic spectrum, or perhaps you'd like to find out more about autism, please get in touch  at www.fightingforautismeurope.org.

#DareToBeDifferent #ShineThroughTheSpectrum #AutismAwarenessAndAcceptance

Awaken the Earthquake- An interview with Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach and competitor Sean Davitt, by Junior Ambassador Evan "The Earthquake" Stojanov

Today's blog interview has been carried out by Junior ambassador Evan "The Earthquake"Stojanov.

Evan is a superstar of the autistic spectrum who is thriving through the martial art Judo. Evan trains with Williamsburg Judo in VA, USA under the instruction of Pete Mantel who has struck up an amazing friendship with Evan. 

                                                                                                                     

Evan has also been assisting Fighting For Autism in raising autism awareness and our fight for acceptance and inclusion by highlighting positive stories from the autistic spectrum and inspiring others to try something new, maintain a healthy lifestyle and make long lasting friendships. Evan has been training with Williamsburg Judo for nearly 3 years and his moniker "The Earthquake" comes from Evan's other passion and that is seismology - the study of earthquakes.

What is Judo?

Judo  (柔道) is a Japanese martial art that derives from traditional Ju Jitsu, created by Jigoro Kano in 1882,  Judo became a recognised sport 1910 and was adopted as a part of Japan’s educational system the following year, in 1964 Judo became an Olympic sport. 

Judo objectives are to either throw or take down an opponent to the ground, immobilise or otherwise subdue an opponent with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke.                Judo translated means "Gentle Way",  Judo is an activity undertaken worldwide and  has millions of practitioners (Judoka),  famous Judoka include Ronda Rousey, Kayla Harrison, Chuck Norris, Theodore Rooselvelt, Vladimir Putin and so many more.                                                                                                                          

Evan with some of the Team USA Judo Squad

Autism and Judo

Over recent years numerous studies have carried out and highlighted the positive outcomes for those on the autistic spectrum who have trained in a martial art.

Please see below a link to a study carried out by University College Florida 

https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-study-judo-may-help-health-social-interaction-of-children-diagnosed-with-autism-spectrum-disorder/

               Evan with his Fighting For Autism Patch that will placed on his Judogi (uniform)

Evan was asked if he would like to interview a martial artist, with little hesitation he chose to interview Judoka and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and coach Sean Davitt.                                                        Sean is also a Fighting For Autism Coach Ambassador.

Sean who is based in Wexford, Ireland is an accomplished competitor and coach both in Judo and  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sean along with James Mulroy of Judo Assist Ireland also dedicate their time and expertise to the promotion of and development of inclusive Judo both nationally and internationally, Judo Assist have worked tirelessly in seeing children and adults with additional needs  become involved in Judo, helping them to get fit, make friends and importantly have fun. 

                                         Sean performing a judo technique on an opponent. 
 

Sean Davitt is Interviewed by Evan "The Earthquake" Stojanov

                                                                                                                                                          

Evan asks.

Who is the best fighter with autism you have trained?

Sean- " I have trained many many competitors with autism, not everyone who trains Judo or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wants to be a fighter, so I train people to be their best selves. Anyone who gives their all on the mats is a champion to me".  

Evan asks.

How much Jiu Jitsu and Judo should I practice each week?

Sean- " I would say that it depends on how much is available to you, when i first started I was training twice a week, at one point I I trained eleven sessions a week. Now I train two to three times a week, I suggest that you try to train two to three times a week if you can, remember there are more things to enjoy in life than martial arts, but its a great place to start".

Evan asks.

What do you think I should practice most?  

Sean- " I would suggest practising the basics. without a solid foundation you can't master the more advanced techniques, I dedicate a lot of my own training to the basic movements and transitions both standing and on the mats". 

Evan asks.

What is the best exercise for Judo?

Sean- " I suggest the best exercise for Judo is simply doing Judo. This could be working on footwork, practising the techniques in your mind or on the mat, its all awesome and will help you massively".

Evan asks.

What is your favourite throw and pin? 

Sean- "Throw : Harai Goshi or Ura Nage                                                                                                                   Pin : Kese Gatame or Kata Gatame".

Evan asks.

What throw is best for tall people?

Sean- " I would suggest Osoto-Gari , Uchi-Mata, Sumi Go or Ko-Soto-Gari".

And finally Sean wanted to pass on a message to Evan..........

We would like to thank both Evan and Sean for an amazing interview.

if you would like ot share a positive story from the spectrum please get in touch we can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or our website www.fightingforautismeurope.org