Disabled French boxer dreams of Olympic glory: Video
Pierre-Mickaël Hugues, a 31-year-old boxer training at Mendez Boxing Gym in Harlem, New York, defies the odds with his determination and skill.
Born with a condition requiring prosthetic legs below the knees, Hugues trains with the intensity of any able-bodied athlete.
"Your hands, Pierre! Hit him in the body!" his trainer shouts as he sharpens his craft.
Invited to the United States by former French heavyweight Christophe Mendy, Hugues arrived in late November for his first U.S. tour to showcase his talent in the world’s boxing capital.
An accomplished amateur boxer, he sees this as an opportunity to secure funding for his career, which has faced financial hurdles in his native France. “I’ve always seen myself as an able-bodied athlete, with the same passion—sometimes greater—to achieve the same result,” Hugues says, his quiet determination evident over the hum of the Harlem gym.
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With plans to turn professional within two years, Hugues hopes to make his mark and inspire others on his journey to Olympic greatness.
