Cahill signs off on a superb year with Paris Open bronze
IN HER final event of a busy 2019, South Dublin Taekwondo’s Emma Cahill wrapped up her competitive year with a superb bronze medal at the Paris Open.
The event, which is seen as one of the largest competitions on the World circuit, added cadet age categories to the programme for the first time, subsequently paving the way for Cahill to travel with her older team mates.
Emma Cahill of South Dublin Taekwondo with the bronze medal she won at the Paris Open, subsequently capping off a great season
And the 13-year-old athlete showed just why she is seen as one to watch on the European circuit after an excellent display in her attempt to try out some new approaches in her match play.
Handed a bye in her opener, Cahill lined out in the quarter final stage against Germany’s Lilly Ettelbruck.
After two of the schedule three rounds, she had carved out a clear lead and opted to change fighting style in the closing round, landing some extravagant kicks that helped her to a 19-2 victory.
The semi-final saw her up against recently crowned European Champion Tasha Viskens from Belgium and again the South Dublin Club star raced in front before a well-executed spinning kick for four points by the Belgian drew the match level.
An unfortunate slip by Cahill afforded her opponent a decisive one-point advantage with the match eventually finishing up 6-7.
Cahill has enjoyed a great year, with top podium placings, including a trio of golds in Ireland, England and Scotland.
Silver in both Belgium and Poland along with victory in Sofia and this latest bronze have certainly made her one to watch on the international circuit.
‘It’s been a good year for Emma. Her application in training and attention to detail has been excellent” said South Dublin TWD Head Coach Robert Taaffe.
“We have targeted a list of events this year to try give Emma and her team mates the best development possible and she has really shone in some testing divisions.
“Although much success is attributed to her many medal winning events, lessons learned in events with no success like Germany and Luxembourg are just as important to ensure the athletes can learn more about themselves, dynamics with coaches and stay hungry.
“Emma has set herself up for a very exciting 2020 where it is planned to start making preparations and adaptations for a seamless transition to junior ages in the near future” he added.
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