Cork fighters in top form at Neptune taekwondo event

THE first International Irish Taekwondo Championships held in Neptune Stadium drew hundreds of fighters from all over the country to Leeside.

Competitors flew in from nearby countries such as Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Britain to take part. Open only to competitors of red belt and black belt levels, the standard of martial arts was at an all-time high.

Each competitor was tested in patterns (forms), and sparring (fighting), as well as power breaking (destruction), special technique (agility), and team sparring (three-person teams), with gold, silver, and bronze medals up for grabs in each weight.

In addition to these medals, there were also five other awards given out on the day, and these were the Best Competitor awards and Best Club.

The first award was for Best Adult Female. 

Nina May Brady from Wexford took the cup home for that, having won double gold medals, but the rest of the awards, the organisers were pleased to say, stayed right here in Cork.

Alex McCarthy, from Farranree, won the Best Adult Male award, also taking double gold, but beating the current Micro Weight World Champion, Elliot O'Callaghan from the UK, to do it make it even more impressive.

Mark Heavin, from Cork ITA, won the Best Junior Male award, winning an incredible triple gold, in patterns, sparring, and team sparring. 

HAUL

The best junior female award went to Emily O'Polo, from Total Taekwondo Midleton, who collected an unbelievable three gold, one silver, and one bronze, medalling in all five championship events.

The East Cork youngster is certainly a rising star in the sport.

Emily’s medals helped her Midleton Club take home the fifth and final cup, with Midleton taking home 46 medals in total from 20 competitors.

That included 16 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze prizes, and being crowned the Best Club for 2023, a selection that no one could quibble with.

The organisers explained the venture was considered a major development for the sport in Cork and plans are already in place for next year, when the event will be staged again in December.

"The Taekwondo Alliance Ireland would take this opportunity to thank Neptune Stadium for hosting this event, as well as thank all the umpires, judges, and referees who made the day such a success. 

"All the Irish fighters and organisers are already looking forward to the second International Irish Championships next December in 2024."