Come and have a go if you think you're small enough: Boy with dwarfism told he's too tiny to fight hunts for opponents
A young boy's hopes of fighting in karate competitions have suffered a blow - because he is too small.
At just 3ft 8in, Aboudi Neema has been told he is unable to safely compete with other children his age.
Aboudi, 12, suffers from hypochondroplasia, a genetic form of dwarfism, a problem of bone growth and development.
But he is determined to find an opponent - and has launched a huge appeal to find someone insisting: 'Come and have a go - if you think you're small enough.'
Aboudi Neema has been told he is too small to fight boys his age
Aboudi, from Hull, has been learning karate at the Hull and East Riding Karate Academy since September last year.
Chief instructor Wayne Clarke is helping to find other youngsters with the same condition or other growth problems for a competition in October.
He said: 'Aboudi can compete in competitions while doing the kata, which is a set formation of karate moves. But he can't fight against people and he really wants to do that as well.
'Karate competitions work in age sections - but the problem is he is too small and it wouldn't be safe for him to fight anyone of his own age. If they are younger, he would be too strong for them.'
Aboudi was inspired to take up karate after his brother Josif, 19, won medals in the sport at national and regional competitions.
Aboudi suffers from hypochondroplasia, a genetic form of dwarfism
Mr Clarke, who teaches about 80 students every week, said he wants to be able to offer Aboudi the same opportunity.
He added: 'Aboudi sees his brother coming home after winning medals and he would like the chance to do that.
'The only way we can possibly do that would be to find other people with the same condition as Aboudi, or another condition that affects their growth.
'If they do karate already, they could fight in the competition. If they don't then I could train them up.
'There is a major Karate Championships at the Bonus Arena in Hull in October and I would like Aboudi to be able to fight in that competition.'
Aboudi trains at his school, Sirius Academy in west Hull, twice a week and also trains twice a week in his own time but he longs to be able to win medals in the sport he loves.
He said: 'It's really good and it's my favourite sport so it's a little bit frustrating that I can't find anybody to fight safely.
'It would be brilliant to compete. I love everything about karate - I would like to win medals for kata and fighting.'
Brother Josif said he would be delighted if Aboudi was able to fight in the competition and he believes it would be a boost for his younger brother's confidence.
He said: 'My family would be really happy to see him do very well in competitions. It would be really good for Aboudi's confidence.'
- Anyone who is interested in the competition should call 01482 814125.
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