Cork athlete says she hopes to follow in her dad's footsteps 

A Cork woman who has just represented Ireland in an international karate competition thinks everyone, but especially young females, should learn some self-defence.

Aisling O’Donovan recently won gold at the All-Ireland Shotokan Karate Intervarsities, and went on to compete in the Karate Euros in Crete, Greece, at the end of April, where she represented her country and MTU, where she studies.

The 19-year-old, who has just completed her first year studying Agri-Biosciences, wasn’t successful this time round, but she said the experience was incredible and only strengthened her belief that one day she’ll be on the podium in an international tournament.

Aisling, who lives near Béal na Bláth, started karate at the age of eight and has represented Ireland in the sport since the age of 13.

“My dad runs a club in Crookstown. He was on the Irish team himself when he was younger and went on to be the coach for the fighting squad.

“I grew up hearing about the competitions he was attending and the club he was running so I decided to check it out,” said Aisling.

Her dad, Garrett, is her coach, and she describes him as ‘such an inspiration.’

“I hope to simply follow in his footsteps,” she said.

Despite her interest and enthusiasm, she admits she wasn’t a ‘natural talent.’

“I was mediocre at best for a good few years and only got to where I am now with a lot of training and support from my coach,” she said, adding though that her star sign is Leo, which she thinks ‘is definitely a helping factor!’

Aisling is a big believer in hard work and discipline, something which karate has helped to instill in her.

“I love the discipline and structure surrounding the martial art. I do Shotokan karate, which is quite traditional, and I think it has taught me so much more than self-defence.

“I have learned to show up even when I might just want to stay in bed, as well as showing respect to those around me,” said Aisling.

Her training regime is intense to say the least.

“I train three to four times a week with my club and try to do a few fitness sessions myself, so it does take a lot out of me, but those around me are so supportive,” she said.

In the run-up to competing in her second European Championships in Crete at the end of April, Aisling was competing every other weekend and training every day.

“It’s always hard competing internationally as the standard is so high. It can be quite intimidating, and when I saw that I got the world champion in the first round, I was so scared. I ended up giving her a run for her money though, but unfortunately, she came out on top.

“It’s never fun to lose, and as my coach says, I am a very bad loser, but you have to be in karate. I think I underperformed, but years ago, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against this woman, so I am proud of myself as well as the whole Irish squad. Everyone on my team made themselves and their country so proud,” she said.

Her ultimate ambition is to be on the podium in an international tournament, and she thinks it’s within reach.

“I’ve gotten better as the years have gone by and put up some great fights and believe that I could do it. As well as winning, though, I want to learn as much as I can about the martial art so that I can help more in training the younger generations to come.”

Aisling has an interest in teaching. Agriculture and biology were her favourite subjects in secondary school – which explains her choice of third-level course – and she hopes to go on and teach them herself one day.

“I’ve always loved the school environment and appreciate all that my teachers in my former school, St Brogan’s in Bandon, have done for me, and I hope to do the same in later life,” she said.

MTU has also supported her on her journey, and Miriam Deasy, sports officer at MTU, said they were proud to award her a sports scholarship.

None of it would be possible without her family: father Garrett, mother Jane, older sister Katelyn, and her Collie X Husky (her ‘baby’) Sven.

“I have to thank my da/coach for encouraging me to train as hard as I can to reach my full potential; my team-mates for being the best support system a girl could dream of; my ma for driving me to competitions, listening to me complain about my aches and pains... and for not giving out when me and da are scrapping in the kitchen!”

Aisling said she’d encourage ‘each and every person’ to give karate a go.

“Karate is a sport that anyone could take up at any point in their lives.

“We have so many mothers and fathers who had children try it out and give it up, but the parents decided to stick it out and are still there.

“You do not have to be the most athletic or the most flexible either to start – all of that comes with time and patience.

“As well as that, I believe it’s so important that people, especially young women, learn a certain degree of self-defence. You never know when you might need it.”