Laois kickboxing star secures medals at European Kickboxing Championships

Mountmellick's Edward Comerford came home from the WAKO European Kickboxing Championships in Turkey with a silver and a bronze medal.

In May of this year, Edward completed in Irish National Kickboxing Championships where he won Gold in two categories. He was then selected to represent Ireland at the European Championships. The competition was run from the 26th of August until the 3rd of September. With over 1,500 athletes registered this is one of the most prestigious competitions of the kickboxing calendar.

He participated in both disciplines, point fighting and light contact. He earned the silver medal in point fighting and the bronze medal for light contact.

Edward started kickboxing at the age of five and instantly loved the sport. His dedication and desire has only grown stronger throughout the years. At the age of twelve, he has already been an Irish National Champion three times. 

In preparation for the championships, he travelled to Tallaght to train five times a week under the guidance of Ireland head coach Dave Heffernan of Tallaght Martial Arts.

He produced some of the best fighting of his life and outlasted a large number of athletes. He defeated opponents from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, and Great Britan on his way to the final. He just lost out on the win buy one score in the final second. In September of 2022, he also earned himself a silver medal at the WAKO World Championships in Jesolo, Italy.

As the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) is now fully recognised by the International Olympic Committee,  Edward’s ultimate goal is to take part in the Olympics with the possibility of winning Gold for his country.