Classy Corey lifts silver at World Youth Savate event

Classy Corey lifts silver at World Youth Savate event

31 July 2019

AN Annacloy teenager has just returned home from from the Savate World Youth Championships in Budapest with a silver medal.

Thirteen year-old Corey McCullough, a member of Joe Ferris’ Bryansford Academy, who was at the championships as part of the Irish team, narrowly missed out on gold to a Russian fighter he had beaten earlier in the competition.

Savate, a French combat sport that uses the hands and feet as weapons, combining elements of English boxing with graceful kicking techniques, has been an integral part of Corey’s life for the past three years — although he has been kick boxing since he was six.

Corey fought in the 52kg category and he has now set his sights on being part of the Ireland team that will travel to the European Championships next year.

A pupil at St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, Corey is indebted to his coaches Joseph Ferris and Martin O’Malley. He is also extremely grateful to sponsor Philip Polly, from CosyRoof and Brian McElroy, of Premier Chiropractic Centre, Downpatrick.