“Just like you, we have the fighting spirit too and now, we feel inspired to fight more,” a visibly excited 11-year-old Aryan Sunil, who has been battling leukemia, told American wrestler Matt Hardy, after a meeting at Apollo Cancer Centre, here on Friday.
Just as the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar walked into the hospital, the children jumped with joy, while their parents craned their necks to catch a glimpse of him.
Soon, with the children on one side and Mr. Hardy on the other, a tug of war began, and, in minutes, the superstar accepted his defeat at the hands of these tiny tots.
Mr. Hardy said that as a celebrity, it is important to give back to society. “I grew up in a small town and was able to achieve my dream. I know, if I had been able to meet someone I was a fan of, or my favourite wrestler, I would have been inspired. I would do anything to make these children feel better. I want them to feel better and inspired and if I can do a little to help, that would mean the world to me,” he said.
