Finishing the race -- touching story

mrskippy · 04-19-2003, 01:40 PM

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...arathon_watson

Brain-Damaged Boxer Finishes Marathon
Sat Apr 19,11:22 AM ET Add Sports - AP to My Yahoo!

By KRYSTYNA RUDZKI, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - Michael Watson, the former British boxer who sustained near-fatal brain injuries 12 years ago, completed the London Marathon on Saturday, six days after the start of the race.

Watson started the 26.2-mile event last Sunday, along with 33,000 others. Walking two miles in the morning and two miles in the afternoon, he reached the finish line on Saturday.

Watson was greeted by hundreds of cheering supporters lining the final stages of the route. London Marathon organizers re-erected the official finish line, complete with colored balloons.

"It has been fantastic and I have enjoyed myself from Day 1," Watson said. "Each mile, I have got stronger. I have never had any doubt I could do it. I am a man of great determination and confidence."

Watson spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations after collapsing in the 12th round of a 1991 World Boxing Organization super-middleweight title fight against Chris Eubank.

Eubank met the 38-year-old Watson at the finish line, and the two embraced.

Watson gradually regained speech and movement. After years in a wheelchair, he can now walk slowly. His left side is still partially paralyzed.

Each mile took roughly one hour to complete. Watson rested and slept in a double-decker bus following him along the course.

Watson said he had received goodwill messages from former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and current WBC champ Lennox Lewis.

Watson has raised $392,500 for the Brain and Spine Foundation.

CHEMICAL SOLDIER · 04-19-2003, 02:11 PM

A very heart warming story of triumph indeed .

mrskippy · 04-19-2003, 02:12 PM

The guy's a winner in my book.

CHEMICAL SOLDIER · 04-19-2003, 02:15 PM

It must have been real hard for him but he finished and that's all that matters .

tucker342 · 04-20-2003, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrskippy
The guy's a winner in my book.

No doubt about that one.

04-19-2003, 02:11 PM	#2
CHEMICAL SOLDIER College Starter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Henderson, Nevada	A very heart warming story of triumph indeed . __________________ Toujour Pret

04-19-2003, 02:15 PM	#4
CHEMICAL SOLDIER College Starter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Henderson, Nevada	It must have been real hard for him but he finished and that's all that matters . __________________ Toujour Pret

04-19-2003, 02:12 PM	#3
mrskippy Banned Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: California	The guy's a winner in my book.

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