Coughlan wins gold at World Karate C’ships

IAN COUGHLAN is now a British, European and World Champion with the Wado Martial Arts Ireland (WMAI) Newcastle School of Karate student having swept the mats in inclusive combat.

Coughlan, who was assisted by assistant coach Oisin Brennan, won gold at the WUKF World Karate Championships in Dundee, Scotland to complete the trifecta of gold medals.

Competing in the combat section, Coughlan had to perform six particular moves, including knife combat, which had to be perceived as applicable in everyday self defence by the judges.

And Coughlan did exactly that, raising the Irish flag at the top of the podium to win the World Championships.

Coughlan followed his gold medal win up with a silver medal performance in kata, or forms.

Since last September, the Newcastle man has won the British Open, European Championships and now, the World Championships.

Oisin’s father Paul Brennan also brought a silver medal back to Newcastle after reaching the final in the -75kg veteran category.

En route to the decider, Brennan battled Polish and German opposition before coming up just short of the gold against English opposition in the final.

Newcastle School of Karate sent five athletes, including Ethan Lucas who reached the last 16 in his category and Christian Hyland who made it to the last eight.

The athletes which represented WMAI at the World Championships on July 13-16, train twice a week in Newcastle before mixing in with their WMAI Rathangan clubmates in a squad session on Saturdays.

WMAI athletes will now turn their attention towards the Four Nations Karate Championships which the club is organising.

England, Scotland, Wales and England will compete in the WMAI Four Nations Karate Championships on September 16 in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

Dozens of clubs from all around the world are also expected to participate in the one-day event.

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