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Deaf and determined - sport - auckland | Stuff.co.nz
Being born profoundly deaf hasn't stopped Caleb Thorn from excelling on the sports field.
The Kelston Boys' High School 17-year-old made his way to Trusts Stadium today for an annual sports day involving deaf pupils from around the North Island.
Caleb, who had a cochlear implant fitted when he was three, was excited to compete.
"It's mostly for fun, but some of the older students like to be more competitive," he says.
More than 210 boys and girls aged 2-19 took part.
Caleb's favourite event is the 100-metre sprint.
"We can't hear a starter's gun so we have a flag that is waved down and we can see when to go," he says.
"I have to take my cochlear off when I do long jump because it will get damaged if it falls off and gets sand in it."
The implant allows Caleb to hear most speech sounds.
"But you can't hear everything and I still read lips to understand things," he says.
The year-12 student is part of the Kelston wrestling team.
He also plays second IX cricket and soccer, and is a New Zealand men's deaf cricket and wrestling representative.
The Avondale resident hopes to attend Gallaudet University for the Deaf in the United States, where he wants to study a bachelor of physical science and get a wrestling scholarship.
"I want to prove that deaf people can do things," he says.
"At the moment, there's no famous deaf wrestlers. I hope to become one."
Being born profoundly deaf hasn't stopped Caleb Thorn from excelling on the sports field.
The Kelston Boys' High School 17-year-old made his way to Trusts Stadium today for an annual sports day involving deaf pupils from around the North Island.
Caleb, who had a cochlear implant fitted when he was three, was excited to compete.
"It's mostly for fun, but some of the older students like to be more competitive," he says.
More than 210 boys and girls aged 2-19 took part.
Caleb's favourite event is the 100-metre sprint.
"We can't hear a starter's gun so we have a flag that is waved down and we can see when to go," he says.
"I have to take my cochlear off when I do long jump because it will get damaged if it falls off and gets sand in it."
The implant allows Caleb to hear most speech sounds.
"But you can't hear everything and I still read lips to understand things," he says.
The year-12 student is part of the Kelston wrestling team.
He also plays second IX cricket and soccer, and is a New Zealand men's deaf cricket and wrestling representative.
The Avondale resident hopes to attend Gallaudet University for the Deaf in the United States, where he wants to study a bachelor of physical science and get a wrestling scholarship.
"I want to prove that deaf people can do things," he says.
"At the moment, there's no famous deaf wrestlers. I hope to become one."