For 11-year-old Freddie ‘the Bomber’ Homan a win at his first competitive boxing bout last weekend was more than just a competition victory – it was a display of perseverance over a debilitating bone disorder.
The Ramsgate youngster had spent six months using a wheelchair and two years of physio and other therapies after being diagnosed with Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) which is a condition that affects bones and cartilage in joints, most often in the knee, ankle, or elbow. It occurs when a small piece of bone and cartilage separates from the surrounding joint due to a lack of blood supply. It is thought to occur during the transition from childhood to adolescence when the blood supply to the bone changes.
Sports enthusiast Freddie was diagnosed when he was seven after his mum and dad, Don and Kerry, noticed he was dragging his foot after football practice.
Don, 41, said: “He was with the Ramsgate Under 9s and he would come back from football absolutely buzzing but the next day he’d be walking around with his foot flat and the right foot he’d drag behind him like it was really hurting.
“There was a lot of pain and swelling and at first we thought it was growing pains. We got him different boots and things but it never got any better.”
A trip to the doctor resulted in Freddie having an x ray and there were suspicions that he had a calcium spur on his foot. MRI and CT scans followed and finally OCD was diagnosed.
Don said: “They said completely no weight on his foot and put him in a wheelchair for six months. Then we were sent to a specialist at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and that’s where he’s had two years recovery with physio, aqua and hydrotherapy, massage therapy, all the way up to about six months ago.”
Freddie was determined not to miss out on sport and so, with football off the table, he decided to return to boxing training.
He has been attending T50 gym in Ramsgate and been taken under the wing of owner Alex Stockley and trainer Sam Coveney.
Don said: “Sam and Alex have taken Freddie under their wings and on Saturday he took part in a show at Baypoint. Me and his mum are 100% proud of him for doing it and getting a victory as well. It’s a real rags to riches story.”
Mum Kerry added: “It was a real struggle for him to go from being a really athletic kid to not being able to do anything, even go out at play time, and it was affecting his mental health a lot.
“He’s come back from that and got back into the gym environment and it’s not just physical (benefits) but the camaraderie in T50 too. He is really flourishing and so happy. It has been really positive for him and he is even more focused on his school work now.”
Kerry says there are still physio appointments but Freddie is “95%” recovered now.
She added: “He was very talented at football and boxing but football is completely out of the question so he has gone back to his roots with boxing. That was his original passion and it is less traumatic on his joints.”
St George’s student Freddie said: “After not being able to do any sports or anything that my mates were doing, getting back into boxing at T50 has really helped me get physically fit and it’s helped me to meet loads of really great people and keep me off the computer and video games.
“My coaches Alex and Sam have helped me improve my fitness and boxing skills and I feel much happier inside, having goals to focus on.”
T50 boss Alex said: “Freddie used to do a bit of boxing before but then got the (bone condition) and ended up in a wheelchair and then crutches.
“He has overcome that and came to me to take boxing seriously. He has been in the gym for about three months and he trains harder than most of the adults! He wakes up at 5am and goes running before school and now has his own nickname – the Bomber.
“On Saturday he had his first fight against a competitor from Dover. He won and did so well. We are really proud of him, to overcome what he has been through and then to do three months of hard training. I am so impressed with him and he is a lovely lad.”
Freddie, who is being sponsored by CW Carpentry and Formation Construction, is now working towards his next bout which is expected to take place in December.
Well done young man, not just for winning your first bout but for being an inspiration to others.
Who knows-A future World champion?