ONE Championship Gives Its Support To Quaden Bayles

A video featuring Australian youngster Quaden Bayles went viral this week for all of the wrong reasons, but the world has rallied around the 9-year-old from Brisbane to show their support, including some of the leading figures in ONE Championship

Quaden’s mother, Yarraka Bayles, posted the video of her distraught son – who has been subjected to relentless bullying at school because he was born with dwarfism – on Wednesday.

The heartbreaking clip has resonated with many at ONE Championship, including fellow Aussie and ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking as a parent to watch. This video should serve as a reminder to all parents to remind their kids that bullying is NOT OK,” he said on Twitter.

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong also responded to offer his support, but he went several steps further by pledging to fly Quaden and his family to Singapore to help him learn martial arts and build his confidence at Evolve.

“I know you’re going through incredible suffering and pain – I can’t imagine what you’re going through – but I want you to know that God gives his toughest battles to his bravest soldiers, and for sure you are one of them,” stated Sityodtong.

“Evolve has an incredible children’s program that bully-proofs kids, and if you have time this summer, I’d like to invite you and your family as my personal guests to Singapore.”

He also invited the family to a ONE Championship live event, where they can meet the promotion’s stars, many of whom have suffered abuse, but gone on to achieve great things.

Sityodtong then posted an update to reveal he had spoken with the family and the wheels are in motion to make the trip happen, while also appealing to spread happiness instead of despair.

“To the parents and kids out there, let’s stop this bullying, let’s be kind to one another. The world needs it now more than ever,” Sityodtong added.

Read more: The 5 Best Martial Arts For Your Kids