Woolley poised to contest WTF Grand Prix Final

Woolley poised to contest WTF Grand Prix Final

By Stephen Leonard

JACK Woolley will become the first Irish competitor to line out in the WTF Grand Prix Final to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan on Friday and Saturday.

The world’s top 15 athletes in Olympic Weight categories have been invited to attend the blue riband event of the WTF annual calendar.

Jack Woolley 08 December 2016

The two-day competition will cater for all eight Olympic classes, with athletes hoping to secure Grade 8 ranking points to continue preparations towards Tokyo 2020.

The invitation for Woolley rounded off a hectic year for the 18-year-old whose focus has been on securing ranking points throughout the world.

He will travel to Baku with his club and National Team Coach Robert Taaffe who, speaking to The Echo, outlined his young protegee’s achievements so far this year.

“To date this year Jack has attended 17 events and has made the podium at 13.

“This is a pretty substantial achievement, given the undertaking that achieving a medal in WTF Taekwondo is on athletes.

“It has been a long journey throughout the year with some great results, some near misses and a few lessons learned that, hopefully, will assist Jack on a greater stage in years to come.

“We have been lucky to invite some of our up-and-coming students along the journey this year, so hopefully the efforts put in at the top level can cascade down through the ranks and assist all down to grassroots,” he added.

Woolley will participate on Day One of the Grand Prix, in -58kg male, four kilos heavier that his own usual weight category of -54kg which is unfortun- ately not currently an Olympic weight.

That said, ranking points gained in the non-Olympic 54kg division can be collected in favour of the 58kg category.

Athletes fighting -58 usually are a mix of fighters from -54, -58 and -63kg who adjust their weight accordingly.

“We are very excited for Jack to be included in this event,” continued Taaffe.

“He holds third place world ranking in his -54kg weight, but at this event where he must fight -58kg he is likely to be a middle seed in a division of 16.

“We know well that we are on a collision course with the top seeds, and Olympic medallists, but we will embrace the challenge.

“This is a proud moment not only for Jack, his club and his NGB, the Irish Taekwondo Union, it is a proud moment for Irish sport, in particular, minority sports.

“Hopefully those who may be able to afford Jack support in the current four-year cycle can improve on support as we will step onto the GP Final Arena with a young Irish athlete who to date has received no personal direct funding from any national sporting bodies, or private sponsorship.

“In 2016 Jack achieved more open-event ranking points than any other athlete in the world, in any weight in any gender, with little funds and whilst studying for his Leaving Certificate. Imagine where he could go with the right support, and the many who will benefit” he added.

In addition to the Grand Prix Final both Woolley and Taaffe have been extended an invitation to attend the WTF Gala Awards Ceremony also in Baku on December 11 where the world’s best athletes, coaches and officials are recognised for their efforts.

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