A squad of four IKKU athletes competed at the recent Budapest Open. The event attracted most of the World's top Fighters, as they ramp up for the upcoming W.K.F. World Championships in Germany.

The ladies team consisted of Cork's Rachel Earley and Navan's Justyne Collins. Both female athletes fought well but lost out by the narrowest of margins to fighters from United Arab Emirates and Colombia. Both athletes also competed in the team event.

The male team comprised of Glasnevin's Aaron Mc Loughlin and Gordon Smith. Aaron Mc Loughlin had a very busy day as he took part in both the senior and U-21 -60kg events. His efforts were duly rewarded and Aaron secured a bronze medal in the Senior -60kg event. Gordon Smith entered the +84kg event. Not to be outdone by his teammate, Gordon also secured the bronze in a very keenly contested category.

Ronan Flynn travelled with the squad and acted as Team Coach, in the absence of IKKU Team Coach Paul Brennan. Ronan remarked "The standard was on a par with a K1 event. All the top Athletes competed, which made the effort and journey well worth while".

Ronan Flynn, who recently retired from International Kumite, will now assume the role of Assistant Coach, under IKKU Chief Instructor Paul Brennan. With this duo at the helm of The IKKU, the future looks promising indeed.