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CNN World Report

Judo Dreams in Sight for Blind Athlete

Aired May 27, 2001 - 14:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Well, life often throws us unexpected challenges and difficulty that in the end are supposed to make us stronger. This Spanish man is living proof of that. He says his blindness has contributed to his inner strength.

SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: Sheer determination and raw talent have taken him a step further, to the world stage of martial arts. And as Spain's Telecinco reports, he's never lost sight of his dreams.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NUNIA FERESNADA, TELECINCO REPORTER (voice-over): He is 40 years old, and judo is his life. Francisco is black belt, and he has been competing for 11 years internationally. He trains every day, and he is blind. That is why judo is more difficult for him.

FRANCISCO BOEDO, JUDO PLAYER (through translator): I cannot see with the left eye and I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the right one with glaucoma and myopia. I have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and I never seem to have problem with my vision.

FERESNADA: When he was only a boy, he began to lose vision, but it didn't keep him away from practicing and succeeding in judo.

BOEDO (through translator): I have 58 national medals. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I won two world championships. After that, I was the number five in the world.

FERESNADA: Francisco takes benefit from the rival he is playing, and he says it was easy for him to practice this sport despite of his handicap.

BOEDO (through translator): You don't need to see, you need to feel. It is a contact sport. You just can't hold both men (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

ALEJANDRO ABANDO, BOEDO'S TRAINER (through translator): What we do during the training of the gym is adapting judo to his blindness. He cannot for the catchhold, but he has to have one hand, and we begin with this position.

FERESNADA: Francisco will always fight. He spends many hours training hard after a long day working. ABANDO (through translator): He was born to be a sportsman. He loves judo, but it's a very difficult sport because it's not a team sport. He has to win. It's his mentality and his strength.

FERESNADA: For him, judo has a particular meaning.

BOEDO (through translator): I'm going to spend my time here to demonstrate who I really am and what I am able to do.

FERESNADA: He only gives one advice to people who suffer this kind of problem, never give up. This report was prepared by Nunia Feresnada from Telecinco for CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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