A Student Body in Motion
A constant knock against Alsion is that our student body is neither agile nor sporty. Sometimes, a quick glance at the sports court during P.E. confirms this: the flailing limbs, the ungainly strides, the sudden shrieks, the crooked coordination, the slow, swamp-like pace. Our infamy is mainly the effect of our small population and lack of sports facilities. It is definitely not because we have a dearth of athletes. So many of our students–itching to kick, shoot, glide, hit, throw, slide, catch, spin, dive, splash, fall–find their kinetic outlet off campus. It would be a shame not to give their endeavors any acknowledgment.
For this feature, the student athlete we spotlight is Arnav Chittibabu, boxer.
How did you come across boxing and how long have you been boxing?
I starting boxing and grappling as part of the mixed martial arts I did about six years ago just before testing for my 1st-degree black belt. I started because there was a sparring element to the test for my first-degree black belt, and if I wanted to get it I would have to box three others and land a certain number of punches on my opponent. After that, I guess I enjoyed doing it so much that I continued. Plus many others around me started sparing on a weekly basis and I thought it might be fun to continue it.
Sports can be dangerous, especially boxing. Do you have a scary injury story? If not, what was the scariest thing that’s happened to you because of boxing?
Thankfully, I have not had any injuries when it comes to both boxing and grappling. However, once during a practice match, an opponent landed a push kick (a flat-footed kick) on my chest, and I had an asthma attack.
Playing a sport makes you passionate about professional athletes. Who’s your favorite boxer? What about your least favorite boxer?
Manny Pacquiao would have to be my favorite boxer. He’s not only great at the sport but is really down to earth unlike many others. Most boxers put on a large act during press conferences and weigh-ins to try to intimidate their opponent but Pacquiao puts that aside and plays the sport alone. Floyd Mayweather, on the other hand, would be an athlete I hate in the sport. His overall personality is incredibly arrogant especially during press conferences and weigh-ins. Although he has had a great win record, he brings a lot of drama to the boxing ring and out of the ring he’s not a great person.
What’s your favorite part about boxing or the boxing environment?
My favorite part of the sport would have to be the people you train with. After training with them for years, they become your family. Both my coach and many of the people who I train with are people I have known for almost 10 years and are some of my favorite people to be around with.
Coaches are a big part of being an athlete, and oftentimes they give great advice. What’s the best advice your coach has given you?
The best advice my coach has given me would be “Whatever you do, don’t quit, because as hard as it is to stick with it, starting over is even harder.”
Competitions can be one of the most nerve-wracking aspects of playing a sport. Tell us a competition story whether it be a great victory or a heartbreaking loss.
Last summer, I had a tournament which usually consisted of a match between me and another person who attended a school that’s part of the same training franchise. On that specific day, I got really lucky because my opponent was not only shorter than me but also had a shorter wingspan – even though we were in the same age and weight class. This allowed me to keep a distance long enough so that he would not be able to get any solid punches on me while I was still able to get good body and head punches on him. I unanimously won. This basically means that all three judges agreed that I landed more punches on him than he did on me.