As South Sudan continues its difficult journey toward lasting peace, Puro Okelo—a South Sudanese-Canadian and former North American Kickboxing Champion—is channeling his energy into an unlikely but powerful tool for unity and resilience: kickboxing.
Through the African Kickboxing Academy, which he founded, Puro is training a new generation of young South Sudanese athletes to become champions—not just in the ring, but in life. Training is far from easy. The team faces daily obstacles, including poor nutrition, limited access to proper equipment, and the lack of a safe, dedicated gym space.
Yet despite these challenges, more than 46 young men and women show up with unwavering commitment. They sweat, spar, and grow—not only in strength and skill, but in solidarity. In a country often fractured by ethnic divisions, these athletes are learning to fight as one team, united by discipline and a shared dream: to represent South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, with pride and purpose.
The team has already competed in multiple tournaments in Juba and neighboring countries, showing that even in adversity, the spirit of perseverance and peace can prevail—one punch, one kick, one round at a time.
