Leitrim Muay-Thai fighters gear up for European Championships this November

Carrick-on-Shannon Morakot Muay-Thai are preparing to send over a squad of seven fighters to the Amateur European Championships in Wales, from November 8 until November 11.

Stíofán Ó Murnáin, who runs the club, has set up a GoFundMe to help raise money for their travels to Wales.

“We’ve a team of seven ranging from 10-years-old to 24-years-old. Our team is part of the Irish squad and we’re looking to qualify for the World Championships which are in February 2025,” Stíofán explained.

“This is the second time in the last three years we’ve sent a team over. We had a team over in Turkey in 2021. We’re very active in terms of international and domestic competition.”

The students at the Muay-Thai club in Carrick-on-Shannon are all local to Leitrim and Roscommon.

1.1 million TV viewers in Germany and France to tune in to Leitrim

Two 45 minute episodes featuring Leitrim will air in Germany and France next Spring

“They’re all sporty, some are also in GAA but this is their solo competition, they’re part of a team but they only rely on themselves when they get into the ring,” Stíofán said.

Muay-Thai has been shortlisted for Olympic recognition in the last five years, and the club are eagerly awaiting its official inclusion in the Olympic schedule.

“The sanctioning body we’re part of is the only road to the Olympics.  We’ve a seventy to eighty percent chance of its inclusion for LA 2028. 

“Especially for the kids, it’ll hopefully be their platform in another seven or eight years to compete at an Olympic level.”

The club have set a goal of €4,500 for their trip to compete in Wales this November.

“We want to leave everyone going over cost free to allow the kids to bring their parents,” Stíofán said.

“It’s hard enough coming in and out to training three or four times a week without expecting them to pay for travel and accommodation,” he added.

With a dream of Olympic recognition on the horizon, the club’s efforts extend beyond the ring, to ensure financial obstacles don’t get in the way of the fighters’ ambitions.

Win over Leitrim Gaels a step in the right direction for Pearce and Aughawillan

Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC: Aughawillan on cusp of quarter-final qualification after victory over Leitrim Gaels

Donations to Carrick-on-Shannon Morakat Muay-Thai club can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/european-muaythai-championships-in-wales