Tallaght Martial Arts write themselves into history books

TALLAGHT Martial Arts were on top of the World last week at the WAKO Senior World Championships in Albufeira, Portugal taking home eight medals of the 10 taken by Team Ireland.

A week of amazing fighting, sportsmanship and making history.

Tallaght Martial Arts had nine athletes qualify to represent Ireland at this event taking home four gold and three bronze – an awe-inspiring haul for the club and the main part of the Irish team’s overall success.

Jodie Browne took to the mats in defence of her World Title.

Jodie took on a similar selection of fighters to her recent World Combat Games victory.

An amazing display of skill tactics and determination saw Jodie reach a much-anticipated final against Slovenia’s Tina Baloh where Jodie took the gold.

Jodie cements her name in WAKO history books, in addition to holding the World Combat Games title and WAKO European Title, she is now the WAKO World Champion an amazing accomplishment.

Jodie on the podium
with her trophy

Adam Condon an extremely clever, fast and agile fighter took the level of the competition up a notch, schooling each of his opponents one by one.

Adam’s speed and accuracy saw him take the GOLD against Kazakhstan in the -54kg Full Contact division.

Writing himself into the history books by becoming the First Irish Senior male to hold both the European and World titles simultaneously!

Conor McGlinchey, recently presented with the Quercus Grant from UCC put on a masterful display by maxing (beating by 10 points) each of his competitors from Guatemala, Brazil and Austria through to a nail biting final against GB.

Conor timed every shot to perfection to take home his first WAKO Senior World Title.

Stephen Jones was the first of Team Irelands athletes to take the Gold.

Stephen, fighting in the – 94kg veterans division came up against tough opponents in Greece, Switzerland to meet a talented Hungarian fighter in the finals.

A tough opponent, Stephen showed patience, determination, and superb skill to take the top spot! 8 years since his first National Title, Stephen lifted the Gold in the WAKO Veteran World Championships!

Ann Marie O’Grady overcame South Africa in her first ever WAKO World fight to move into the Semi Finals ultimately losing out to a talented Hungarian fighter who ultimately went on to win the division.

All the months of hard work and dedication culminated in a well-deserved bronze medal in the Veteran -55kg division.

Gar Ryan was in action in the -94kg division, beating Greece before reaching the semi-finals.

After a trojan battle Gar narrowly lost out to the Italian division champion to take the bronze.

An amazing result mere weeks after coming back from a serious injury.

Keri Browne overcame Poland to move into the semi-final against a wily Hungarian fighter.

With a truly courageous battle Keri lost out to the divisions winner but came away with a hard fought bronze medal.

Cian Colvin and Shauna Fitzpatrick, both attending their first WAKO Senior Championship fought out of their skins and left it all on the mats.

Both athletes showing amazing skill and sportsmanship.

Supported by coaches, Dave Heffernan and Martin Bannon throughout the week, Dave Heffernan said “It was an amazing week, we had 8 athletes on the Senior team and everyone of them did themselves and our club proud.

“They supported, consoled, warmed each other up, advised, coached, and importantly had great fun together all week. 4 new WAKO World Champions, 3 WAKO World Bronze medals.

“When it was time to be serious they were very serious but they also knew how to have fun, there was a lot of laugher during the week.

“They are an amazing group of young people, superb role models in sport and in life.

“I am very proud to be able to say I am their coach.”

It has been an amazing year for the Tallaght Martial Arts Junior and Senior Teams, looking forward to and already planning for 2024.