For some competing is an integral part of the Brazilian jiu jitsu lifestyle. Such is the case in this incredibly inspirational story.
Kenny Bond walked into a physicians office some time back suffering from headaches. He had no doubts in his mind that he was really looking at an immediate surgery of a terminal cancer from his brain. As he wrote for champions.co :
But, I guess no one thinks it will happen to them. I am an RN, and I still never thought it would happen to me.
He’s been a black belt since 2003, he also owns Street Sports Simi Valley academy.
He had a surgery 24 hour ours later.
I knew when it literally came to life and death I would use the sport as my motivation to stay active and do my best to heal.
According to his own accounts he still needs treatments for at least a year – both chemo and radiation which he gets 5 treatments every month. But reportedly, he doesn’t let it keep him off the mats.
Just 3 weeks following first surgery and with staples in his head he returned to the mats once more.
I puke, and then I get right to class. I have to be an example for my students, and you bet that not a single one of them is ever given any exceptions. When they start to complain I ask them who has had brain surgery in the last few months — they are usually pretty quiet after that.
Kenny Bond has been sponsored by Shoyoroll and when they sent out a mass email about the IBJJF Pans he felt like he had to do it.
I looked at the flyer, and I thought about what I would be doing if I wasn’t sick. I knew I would be entering the competition, so why change my life just because I was faced with this challenge.
He added:
I hope that when people see me compete, they will know that no excuse is good enough to give up on what you love to do. If you want something bad enough you can do it, you just have to believe.
He’ll be competing at IBJJF Pans this Saturday!
