This article is from page 30 of the 2013-10-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
THE Burren has two new world champions and a host of new medalists following a brilliant performance by the Gort Taekwon-do club at the World Championships in England.
The club, which attracts members from all over North Clare and South Galway, sent seven athletes to take part in this year’s world championship, with all club members coming home with a medal.
The medals haul included two high performing families with father and son, John and Darragh Murphy, winning seven medals between them and mother and son, Gina and Cathal Casey, winning a medal each.
“This was out first ever World Championship as a club and every- one came home with something. It was an amazing performance club. It was a great performance over there. It was like a dream, everything went really really well for the club,” said Lisa Connolly of the Gort Taekwondo, who was also an international referee for this year’s competition.
“I was there as an international referee, which means that I ran a ring for three days, 12 hours a day. I was the centre referee so I was a challenge. You have to be very focussed when you are refereeing these matches – especially if you are going it for 10 or 12 hours every day.”
The leading medal winner was Darragh Murphy, who was awarded four golds and two silvers, followed by Cathal Casey who claimed one gold medal. There were silvers for David Neilan, David Joyce and Gina Casey while John Murphy and black belt John Flanaghan, taking a bronze.
Two on the club’s medalists are also in training to take part in the Kickboxing World Championships in Greece later this year.
“Cathal and Darragh are both training for the Kichboxing World Championships, which take place next month. Cathal is already a World Champion after winning in Florida last year so we are very hopeful,” continued Lisa.