Local karate trio triumph

Local karate trio triumph

18 October 2017

THREE members of Downpatrick Karate School have just returned home from the WIKF World Karate Championships in the Caribbean laden with medals.

Eleven year-old Adam Shannon, from Downpatrick, Ryan McEvoy, from Ardglass, and Dundrum’s Rory Kavanagh were part of the Northern Ireland team which took the island of Curacao by storm.

Adam won a gold medal in the 26kg and under free fighting Kumite category and a bronze in the 26kg and under Kata class to add to the bronze medal he won at the European Championships. 

Twenty-four hours later 17 year-old Ryan picked up a bronze medal in the 60kg and under Kumite category. This added to his silver medal won at the European Championships.

The medal run continued when 23 year-old Rory lifted silver in the 67kg and under Kumite category — the fourth year in a row that he won a medal winner in the same category.

The boys were supported by their parents, who travelled to the Caribbean, and the finals were streamed live for family and friends back home. 

Northern Ireland squad coach and Downpatrick club instructor Noel Kavanagh was full of praise for his trio of medal winners. 

“Not only were all three chosen from the Downpatrick club, which is an achievement in itself, but for the lads to win four world medals has to have topped any past achievements,” he said.

Adam, Rory and Ryan now have their sights set on the Karate Ireland Championships in Dublin this weekend, after which they start training in preparation for next year’s European Championships in Portugal.

If anyone wants to train with Downpatrick Karate Club, classes are in Down Leisure Centre on Sundays at 3pm and Mondays at 7pm.