A project brings boxing classes to children on the outskirts of São Paulo

Credits: Bruno Horário; Amanda Monte; Vivi Torrico and Paula Luna

By: Eduarda Nunes / Favela em Pauta – Lupa do Bem

Brazil had its best boxing campaign at the Tokyo Olympics. At the end of the competition, the Brazilian boxers brought home three medals, one for each podium placement.

Even though it is one of the most popular martial arts in the country, boxers do not receive the recognition and investment they deserve. On the outskirts of São Paulo, Guilherme Miranda works to interfere in this scenario, through the Solidarity Boxe project.

Since September 2020, those who live in Vila Anglo Brasileira, west of São Paulo, have had the opportunity to train boxing and learn about the philosophy behind the fight. In May 2021, it was the turn of those who live in Morro do Piolho, located in Capão Redondo, in the extreme south of São Paulo, and in the Alcântara Machado Occupation, east side, in addition to nearby regions.

Guilherme has been playing the sport for 25 years. For two years, he has dedicated himself exclusively to it. Former Olympic amateur athlete and trainer, his goal – in addition to providing a space for people to “exhaust their energy” and exercise, as he says – is to prepare future professionals for the fight.

Currently, he estimates that 40 children are involved in the project, which has crowdfunding in the air, so more people can contribute to the training.

More than teaching how to fight, Solidarity Boxing deals with other points that are also involved in the sport, such as discipline, respect, social inclusion and physical and mental health. Guilherme says that a psychologist will join the team soon,

“like it or not, it’s ‘pulled’. We end up becoming a teacher, friend, psychologist, and it’s a lot of children”, says the pugilist.

The practice of sports is even an important initiative in the prevention of psychosocial disorders and illnesses. In addition to releasing hormones that promote well-being, training is also a time for self-knowledge, pleasure and teamwork.

It’s an interesting practice to be worked on as suicide prevention, the main topic addressed during Yellow September, for example.

Dialogue circles and writing essays on topics such as fear, freedom, prejudice, gender, racism and respect are just as important as training in improvised rings for classes.

One of Miranda’s main goals with the project is to professionalize and place children who have the aptitude to start competing in amateur championships. For this, the boxer understands that the “theoretical” moments of boxing are also very important.

The project works with the support of organizations, such as Nave Capão, and other partners that strengthen the initiative.

Having started with a “pay-as-you-can” way in Vila Anglo, and as a volunteer at Capão Redondo and Ocupação Alcântara Machado, this training interfere in the personal formation of the children assisted and can help them to win many gold, silver and bronze medals in the most diverse podiums of their lives.