09/08/2026
This post isn’t about Martial Arts…
There’s a little girl who lives around the corner from the gym she’s in primary school.
Her dad cheated on her mother, moved to the Gold Coast with another woman, and never returned to see his daughter. It’s been a few years.
This little girl often goes to school without an adequate lunch. She walks a long way each day, to a different suburb, just to get to school because her mum tirelessly works two jobs, desperately trying to survive.
She has such a deep sadness in her eyes that everyone notices.
After a few years, her dad sent her one small gift.
The little girl showed every single person in her class the toy with so much joy, mixed with sadness. She kept repeating the words “My dad sent me this… see, he loves me”
She walks around the school so desperate for a little love and attention because she has a big hole in her heart. Most don’t notice her, most don’t even know she exists.
Next time you complain about losing a competition, please remember that some kids can’t even afford to train.
Next time you complain about traffic, remember that some kids walk a long way alone in the cold while we drive past them.
Next time you complain about family or friends, remember that there’s a little girl who would give anything for her father just to look at her.
If we become world champions, make it big, become famous and have all the money in the world, but can’t see past ourselves enough to stretch out our hand and help another person, then we may have achieved a lot financially and socially, but very little when it comes to the quality of our character.
Look around at the world. People are suffering.
If you help them when you can, then in my personal opinion, you have achieved much more than any championship, any medal, and something far greater than my black belt.
Life is much bigger than me and you.
It’s about us. 🙏🏻
— Ninos
