All About Cork: Irish teams’ successes at Taekwondo Championships

A delegation of competitors, coaches, and families from Bishopstown School of Taekwondo travelled to the Braehead Arena in Glasgow recently to represent Team Ireland at the 2025 Taekwondo International World Championships.

The competition is an open World Championships, attracting more than 1,700 competitors from 20 countries.

Bishopstown School of Taekwondo entered eight competitors representing Taekwondo Ireland and the Irish Taekwondo Council, with head coach Dermot Walsh, eighth dan black belt — who competed at the first Taekwondo International World Championships in 1988, and captained the Irish team in 1991, alongside coaches Sandra Walsh, sixth dan, and Pat Field, fifth dan; who are also experienced competitors in these TI worlds as far back as 1988 and 1991.

Success began for Taekwondo Ireland on day one, with junior black belt Syaheera Mohd, first dan, winning three sparring bouts to reach the final, ultimately taking home a silver medal.

Syaheera was a flag bearer at the opening ceremony, along with junior black-tag Beth Manning who competed at the World Championships for the first time.

Day two saw very strong performances from cadet competitors Sarah Field, third dan, Syaireen Mohd, third dan, as well as from senior competitors Syafeea Mohd, third dan; Zara Walsh, third dan, and David O’Sullivan, fourth dan. Alex Walsh, fourth dan, achieved the gold medal in men’s fourth dan and above patterns. Alex then finished off the day for the contingent, earning bronze in men’s middleweight sparring. Overall, there were three medals from eight competitors, and great performances from all the students from Bishopstown School of Taekwondo.

Preparation for this event took place continuously over the past years, with students entering competitions, and training several times a week, including weekends at the SMA Hall, Wilton. The club also participated in the World Championships in Coventry in 2023, and in Birmingham in 2018, learning and improving with each experience.

Congratulations also to the Leinster Taekwondo team who travelled with 30 competitors and earned 13 medals, under the guidance of Tom Thornton and Caroline Nugent, and to James Dwyer of Midleton Taekwondo who achieved silver in men’s points sparring.

Shine raises almost €6k

Members or the charity Shine A Light Suicide & Mental Health Awareness told The Echo they were delighted with the support received at the recent fundraiser held across two days at Dunnes Stores at the Bandon Rd roundabout in Bishopstown.

Vice-chairperson Mick Nugent said the charity had enjoyed two great days for its ‘Ride & Shine’ spinathon fundraiser at Dunnes Stores.

“We would like to sincerely thank everyone who had a stint on the bikes, all our volunteers, new and old led by Lisa Towler, for being on hand to chat with the customers, and hand out our materials and explaining what we do,” Mr Nugent said. “Such was the support we received, our total collection for the event was €5,800.50, and a special mention to the shopping centre for facilitating us.”

Return of adult classes

Bishopstown Community School’s adult education evening courses return for the autumn, with classes running on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, beginning on September 22. This year they are adding a digital marketing course to the wide variety of courses currently on offer.

Monday classes will include beginners pilates, introduction to Irish sign language, scrabble, and photography.

Tuesday will see courses including CrickHIIT, yoga women on the move, boxing, and volleyball.

On Wednesday, there is a digital marketing and social media course, an afternoon beginners’ bridge course, Spanish for beginners and improvers, and get to grips with your gadget.

A spokesperson said they were delighted to have the courses back at the school.

Most classes start at 7pm, and range in cost from €30 upwards. Early registration is encouraged, and further information is available by visiting https://www.bishopstowncs.ie/adult-education.

For more information, contact the adult education co-ordinator, Rebecca Milner, at email: aded@bishopstown-cs.ie.