Woolley poised to fight for Olympic dream
Stephen Leonard
TALLAGHT’S Jack Woolley will this weekend bid to fulfil his dream of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Following an amazing year in 2015, the South Dublin Taekwondo jewel jets off to Istanbul to again compete against some of the best fighters in Europe in an attempt to secure one of the two remaining Taekwondo places for the Summer Games.
The 17-year-old competitor, who will move up to the higher weight of -58kg for the qualifier, will be up against represent-atives from most European nations, knowing only a gold or silver medal will suffice if he is to book himself a place in this year’s Olympiad.
Looking ahead to the competition in Turkey, Woolley’s coach at South Dublin Taekwondo Robert Taaffe said “he [Woolley] is in the best shape of his career to date and getting stronger every day.
“We had a good camp in Spain over Christmas and he is looking sharp and confident.
“It looks like Jack will be seeded well for the event and we are hopeful that all the hard work has put him in a positive position with a tough, but achievable pathway to the final” he added.
Woolley was declared The Echo 2015 Amateur Sports Star of the Year at last month’s awards gala night in the Green Isle Hotel following a stunning 12 months in which he rose to Number 14 in the world at -54kg and 39th at -58kg.
He carded medals in a number of the major international Opens with gold coming in Russia and Morrocco and silver in Spain and Israel.
And he will be looking for another top-two finish in Turkey this weekend in order to secure his place in Brazil in August.
Woolley’s progress at the qualifier can be followed on South Dublin Taekwondo’s Facebook & Twitter page.
