We spoke to Junior’s mum Courtney about Junior’s love for judo.
“Junior started judo the moment he turned five – and he hasn’t looked back since. Diagnosed with retinoblastoma at 3, Junior now has a prosthetic left eye. But from the moment he stepped onto the mat, it was clear that his vision wouldn’t stand in the way of his determination.
Since taking up the sport, Junior’s confidence has soared. Each week, he throws himself – quite literally – into learning new techniques, mastering skills, and challenging himself in new ways. His passion for judo shines through, and he never misses a session.
What’s most inspiring is how Junior never lets his monocular vision define or limit him. He approaches every class with the same energy and enthusiasm as his peers, showing that having a visual impairment doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines. In fact, he’s thriving – and proving that children with retinoblastoma can take on the world, one throw at a time.
Junior is a shining example of resilience, reminding us all that with the right support and mindset, children can achieve amazing things – on and off the mat.”