Zak Hammond had his bowel removed four years ago and was fitted with a colostomy bag, but that hasn’t stopped him embarking on a boxing career. The 24-year-old musician is inflicted with Crohn’s Disease and was told he needed surgery to improve his condition. He had his bowel removed and ended up with a colostomy bag, but he hasn’t let it get in the way of being physically active.
Hammond, who is a drummer for the band You and What Army, began boxing as a way to battle weight gain (due to medication). He began training at Donnington gym and won his first amateur fight a few months ago. The bout was described as a bloodbath and it earned “Fight of the Night” honors at the Donnington Sports and Social Club.
When Hammond first started training, opponents took it easy on him during sparring. They were worried about hitting him with body shots. Now that he’s received medical clearance from Amateur Boxing Association doctors, that’s no longer the case.
“If the appropriate medicals have been put in place and he’s been cleared, then there is no reason he shouldn’t box,” an ABA spokesman said.
“It’s quirky, but there’s no reason a colostomy bag should have that great an impact in a ring.”
The bag doesn’t seem to be bothering Hammond who wants to send the message that life doesn’t stop due to medical hardship.
“I’ve got the attitude that if there’s a problem, then you just roll up your sleeves and get on with it,” Hammond says.
Kid Colostomy is certainly proving that he’s getting on with his life, and he’s beating people up along the way.
You might also enjoy:
High schooler loses arm to cancer, begins playing tennis with other arm
