When you hear someone say, “You can’t do it,” there is a strength in proving yourself.

That happened in reality for Ethan Sebastian, a 10-year-old from India. He was diagnosed with ADHD and autism and today, he has made history as a world champion in kickboxing.

Ethan’s Story: From Diagnosis to Gold Medal

Ethan Sebastian was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of three and later assessed as being on the autism spectrum. The early years were challenging. According to his mother, he struggled in preschool. He was often excluded from group activities, and changed schools multiple times as his parents wanted to give him an environment that suited to his needs.

Despite the obstacles, Ethan’s family believed in him. They moved from Pune to Goa so he could attend a special education center. Through behavior and speech therapy, Ethan developed skills and confidence over time.

Then came the turning point. Ethan discovered kickboxing, specifically the musical form category. He trained under a coach at the CKB Martial Art Academy in Mapusa, Goa.

In November 2024, at the World Kickboxing Championship held in Alicante, Spain, Ethan represented India and won the gold medal in the musical form category. He was the first autistic child to reach that level. The best thing was that he competed among children without special needs. He proved that his diagnosis cannot be a hindrance to his talent.

Ethan has also achieved national records in 2023. He won gold in musical form at the National Kickboxing Championship in New Delhi.

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What Is Musical Kickboxing

Musical form kickboxing is a type of kickboxing where athletes don’t fight with an opponent. Instead, they perform a set of kicks, punches and moves to music. They are judged on how well they follow the rhythm, their technique and how precise their moves are.

Lessons for Parents, Teachers, and Communities

See Abilities, Not Just Labels
A diagnosis is not the full story. It is just a part. Focus on their interests and potentials.

Provide the Right Environment
Special talents need a special environment. When they get the right support, the hidden talent is nurtured to another level.

Encourage Passion Over Conformity
Ethan’s success came through kickboxing’s musical form which is not a mainstream sport for neurodiverse children. Let children explore what excites them.

Don’t Give Up Too Early
The path will have setbacks. The only thing that will help is consistency. Keep doing your best, you will see bigger results when the time arrives.