Nonito Donaire revealed a childhood filled with depression and a suicide attempt at the age of 10, in a story published in Sports Illustrated by Chris Mannix. Donaire describes being abused at home, and bullied by other children, and ultimately attempting to take his own life with a makeshift rope made from his clothes.
Here’s how Mannix describes Donaire’s suicide attempt to begin his column:
One by one he tied the shirts and pants together, creating a makeshift rope from a pile of dirty laundry. He tied one end of the rope to a board above his bottom bunk and cinched the other end tight around his neck. He leaned forward, his chest facing the bed, relaxed his body and tried to let himself slip away. He felt the tingling in his hands. He felt the numbness in his face. At ten-years old, Nonito Donaire attempted suicide.
It’s harrowing stuff, and it’s hard to imagine such a young child to go through that and really be so serious about taking his life. Now of course, Donaire is worlds beyond that. He’s a multi-division world champion, he has fame and wealth and a happy marriage, he’s rated as the number 4 pound for pound fighter in the world, and he’s also our 2012 Fighter of the Year.
Good thing that rope he was constructing wasn’t sturdy enough to do its job.
Congratulations to Donaire once again for all that he has achieved on the year, and for being open in talking about his past and the hardships he has endured. It’s something that not only makes him stronger, but will serve as an example for other children around the world.
