Nonprofit Teams Up With Tulsa Gym To Teach Boxing To Adults, Children With Down Syndrome

A nationwide nonprofit that helps kids and adults with down syndrome learn boxing skills has come to Green Country.

Coaches at 99 BXNG said they are thrilled to bring this opportunity to the Tulsa community. 

"The classes are 50 minutes. It is a five-minute warm up. It is 10, three-minute rounds and then a five-minute cool down," said Mark Shaw with 99 BXNG. "You can basically push as hard as you want, from beginners to people who have been boxing awhile."

99 BXNG is a gym set up to help you get your sweat on, but it is also a business that does what it can to make this sport accessible to everyone.

Next week they're starting a program that will teach kids and adults with Down Syndrome boxing skills.

"If you put boxing gloves on anyone, they suddenly have a different way of standing, a different way of carrying themselves," said Lauren Gates with Down to Box. 

The coaches got their training from the nonprofit Down to Box.

"It is about five hours, and it involves a mixture of best practices for boxing and fitness techniques, specifically for individuals with down syndrome and other disabilities," said Gates. "The gist of our training is to approach these individuals like anyone else and then make adaptations as needed."

99 BXNG is Down to Box's first Oklahoma affiliate and they just wrapped up two trial classes.

"It was just so fun. The majority of them had never boxed before, they picked it up so quick and they just loved it," said Shaw. "As soon as it finished, I just remember thinking, 'I can't wait until the next class!"'

There is one more free trial class this Saturday. The 12-week program starts next week. The first 10 kids and first 10 adults to sign up get 50% off thanks to The Down Syndrome Association.

"It is just so nice doing something where there is so much enjoyment and happiness," said Shaw. 

To learn more, visit the 99 BXING website here.