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Fairfax City’s adaptive boxing community is gaining momentum after two local athletes captured international championships in Spain last month.
Alijaah “King Kong” Liggins and Claudia Palacios secured the titles while representing DPI Adaptive Boxing Club, where athletes train and compete in a form of boxing designed for wheelchair users.
Coach Alec Pritchard said the victories fulfilled a dream for the club and demonstrated the work its athletes put into the sport.
About 10 adaptive boxers currently train in Fairfax City, according to Pritchard. Between three and five of them compete in matches locally and beyond the region.
DPI is also working to expand awareness of adaptive boxing across Virginia, the broader D.C. area and internationally. One long-term goal is to have the sport included in the Paralympics, though Pritchard said that milestone is probably still several years away.
The United Adaptive Boxing Council held its first sanctioned championship in Fairfax City in September. The championship is scheduled to return for its fourth annual edition this September.
Admission will be free, giving spectators an opportunity to watch the matches and support the fighters in person.