The answer is equally unlikely - the Tour de France, Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and an enduring cross-continental story of mateship and courage.
Teenager Fateh Whig loves sport but it was only recently in Melbourne that he played his first real game of basketball.
Born in the Indian city of Chandigarh, the eighteen-year-old has lived with Spina Bifida all his life.
The medical condition means he has little or no control over his bowel, bladder and legs.
Fateh Whig Source: Supplied
He recently completed his year 12 exams with outstanding results and - health permitting - he has a lofty career ambition.
"I want to study international law and become a lawyer," Fateh told SBS World News.
But to achieve his dreams, Fateh needs to gain independence and be more self-reliant for his daily needs.
To achieve this, Fateh's family scoured the world before discovering the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.
But a rehabilitation program in Australia can costs tens of thousands of dollars - and that is where an old friend, Brigadier Bill Sowry stepped in.
Brigadier Sowry, the Australian attache based in London, undertook an incredible challenge – completing four push ups for every kilometre of the Tour de France to raise money for Fateh’s treatment.
He called it Push ups for Fateh, or PUFF challenge, to honour the memory of his fallen mate, Major Mohit Whig.
Brig Sowry at various locations around London, completing the PUFF challenge Source: Supplied
Brigadier Sowry said that friendship, formed during his years serving in India in the mid 1990s prompted him to act.
"After I finished the course there and went home my friend was killed in a bomb blast, leaving behind a wife and two children.
"One of the children, Fateh, had spina bifida and it has been a big struggle for the last 18 years, so I decided we would help and raise some money to give him medical treatment in Australia."
The challenge raised an incredible $60,000 - enabling Fateh to receive the specialised treatment program in Melbourne.
Brig Sowry, Tina Whig, Kath Sowry and Maj Mohit Whig in Staff College, Wellington (India) 1994 Source: Supplied
Fateh said the funds put him that much closer to achieving his dream.
"I would like to achieve a level of independence, so that I could I could live my own life growing up, after college and stuff. Wheelchair skills, bowel management, that’s what I'm looking forward to.”
The Chief of Medicine at Royal Childrens’ Hospital, Dr Colin Robertson, said it is an inspirational story.
"Fateh had fantastic care in India and I think his development and the way in which he’s overcome his disability is extraordinary.
"The most important areas were trying to encourage his independence with a wheelchair, so that he can get around.”
During his three weeks at the Royal Childrens Hospital, Fateh learnt a new bowel management program, improved his wheelchair skills, received advanced physiotherapy and even learnt how to shave.
He is now back in India, his confidence and spirit buoyed by his Melbourne experience.
He said he is now ready to pursue a law degree at University.
Back in London, Brig Sowry is already planning ahead.
"We've got to get a new wheelchair for Fateh, because he’s been using the same one since he was 11 years old, and has grown a lot since.
"We will look at some renovations in their home to improve his mobility and if there’s money left, that will go into funding his education."
Dr Colin Robertson said that the prognosis is good, and Fateh can certainly go on to become a lawyer in India in a few years time.
As for Fateh, he is brimming with confidence and buoyed by his Melbourne experience.
He encourages anyone with spina bifida or any other disability to have an ambition.
"You have to carry on with what you’re doing.
"You don’t have to think about your disability. Carry on with what you’re doing."
Brigadier Bill Sowry said Fateh's enthusiasm and postivity is its own reward.
"The push ups were all worth it. We even have some residual funding left to enable us to do the other things for Fateh," he said.
"There’s no question that the puffing was worth it, and that something good has come out of all this."
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