Evans makes podium at GAMA 6 contest
TAYLOR Evans from Checkmat Dublin twice made the podium at the recent GAMA 6 (Gaelic Athletic Martial Arts Association) Tournament in Portarlington.
The 17-year-old Kilnamanagh lad, only joined the club back in July and was coming into this competition off the back of two default third-place finishes at the Irish Open and Dublin International events.
Taylor Evans of Checkmat Dublin picked up silver and bronze at GAMA 6
He has been training under the guidance of high-level competitor and coach John Kelly, who has so far produced two Junior World Champions and an IBJJF European title winner.
Lining out in both GI (with Kimono) and NO GI competitions, Evans fought in the Adult Featherweight White Belt division, defeating a more experienced opponent, Ben Gibney from Compound Martial Arts 5-0 in the latter.
That set up a clash with Jack Thorne from Next Generation Mixed Martial Arts, Deansgrange in which he lost by submission, forcing him to settle for a superb silver.
Next up for the Tallaght lad was GI division competition in which he lost his first match 11-3 against Ciaran Kennedy from Atlantic Jiu Jitsu Sligo.
He then faced Ayomide Adeogun from SBG Portarlington in a third place play-off and won 3-0.
“Taylor is a competitor and fantastic student” said Kelly. “He joined the club in July and wanted to compete immediately.
“He also trains in the strength and conditioning facility associated with Checkmat Dublin, Train Station Ballymount, with Sean Bolger and testifies that the difficult Saturday sessions have boosted his conditioning massively.”
Next up for Evans will be the Emerald Jiu Jitsu Cup on February 23.
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