IKKU fighter takes home silver at this years Belgian Open

The O.N.A.K.A.I National Junior Squad competed last weekend in the 9th Belgium Open in Leuven. In all nineteen competitors representing ONAKAI Ireland travelled to this competition with representation in the following categories: 1 Girl (12 /13 yrs,) 6 cadets (14 /15yrs) 8 juniors (16/17yrs) and 4 seniors (18yrs and upwards.)

From the outset the Irish squad got off to a winning start, with Sarah McGarrgle from Strabane Shotokan winning bronze in the Girls 12/13yrs section and Peter O Carroll from W.S.K.F Dublin having to fend off fellow country man Rudhrai Collins from Navan in the final of the repechage to win bronze in the cadet -57kgs.

Craig Marlow from M.S.K.G Dublin gave an outstanding display of fighting in winning silver in male junior +84 kg section and only losing out marginally in the final to a formidable opponent.

Nicole Perry from W.S.K.F Dublin fought gallantly in her category to take bronze and was extremity unlucky not to progress further.

Justyne Collins from Navan in winning sliver fought her heart out in the final of the senior ladies and despite her best effort was unable to break down the very strong defence of her opponent.

The rest of the Irish athletes gave an outstanding display in their sections, most notably Rudhrai Collins, I.K.K.U Navan, Ryan Shiels M.S.K.G Dublin and Darren Kavanagh I.S.K.G Dublin who were unlucky not to win bronze by being narrowly beaten in the final of the repechage of their respective categories.

I wish to thank club coaches Simon O Dowd, Ronan FLynn, Christy Knowles, Ronan Collins, ONAKAI National Children's Officer Jacqueline Sheedy and all the parents who travelled for all their help and support both on the day of the competition and looking after the athletes travelling to and from Belgium.

The Belgium Open is regarded as one of the top competitions in the Karate calendar in Europe and with upwards of 450 competitors taking part the Irish karate squad more than accounted for themselves and can be very proud of their achievement at such a high level of competition.