County Derry young people win big at World ITF Taekwon-Do Championships
They were part of a team of twenty that travelled to Edinburgh to represent Northern Ireland
Seven local young people showed the world what County Derry is made of this weekend. They brought home seventeen medals from the World ITF Taekwon-Do Championships. They were part of a team of twenty that travelled to Edinburgh to represent Northern Ireland, led by Head Coach of UKTCNI, Mr Leo Maguire.
The competition took place over ten hours, on eight mats simultaneously, with medals awarded for special techniques, individual and team patterns and individual and team sparring events, in various age, belt and height divisions. Most of the talented youngsters competed in five different events each, throughout the day. In total, the Northern Ireland team won forty-eight medals, made up of twenty-eight gold, twelve silver and eight bronze medals.
Ruby Catherwood, age 11, from Maghera has been studying Taekwon-Do since the tender age of 4. She achieved the greatest success this weekend, coming 8th overall, out of a field of nearly three hundred competitors, representing thirty-five different Taekwon-Do schools. Ruby earned three gold medals and the title of ITF World Champion in individual patterns, individual sparring, team sparring and a further bronze medal in team patterns.
James Curtis, age 11, from Magherafelt, took up Taekwon-Do just three years ago, but has already progressed to blue belt. He claimed the World Championship titles in individual sparring and team patterns. He was joined in the pattern competition by Daniel Shivers, age 10, from Magherafelt and Fiachra Duggan, age 12, from Lavey.
Fiachra also claimed the bronze medal in individual sparring. The plucky trio went on to fight tough competition in the team sparring event and were making great progress, until an injury sustained in the semi-final meant they had to withdraw from the final and forego their chance of another World Championship title, taking home silver medals instead.
Mollie-Rose Brady, age 14, from Clonoe was delighted to win two gold medals, in individual sparring and team patterns, in the 14 to 17 age group.
Ciaran Óg Heaney, age 13, earned a silver medal in the individual sparring event, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers and one sister who have achieved World Championship success at previous tournaments.
Mr Leo Maguire, Chief Taekwon-Do instructor for the area and President for Northern Ireland ITF commented on the progress of the team:
“All these youngsters are committed to their own development in the sport. They work hard to perfect their skills and acquire new ones. They’re a credit to their country.”
Lisa Leacock, Daniel’s mother echoed this sentiment:
“They’ve all come on so much in the past year or two. It’s amazing to watch.”
Mr Maguire is keen to point out that support from local council is vital for supporting these athletes:
“The Sports Representative Grant offered by Mid Ulster District Council is a great help with the costs involved in attending these international competitions. Without such financial support it would be so much more difficult for these young athletes to gain the vital experience they need at this level if they want to progress in the sport. And of course, the support of the parents is invaluable.”
For those interested in trying Taekwon-Do, classes are available in Cookstown and Dungannon Leisure Centres, Magherafelt Parish Centre or The Lurach Centre, Maghera. A free trial class is available and can be booked through the UKTC NI website at www.taekwondo-ni.co.uk .
Any businesses that may be interested in sponsoring future events held in Northern Ireland, or local students attending events in other countries should contact Leo Maguire on 07891191494 or email [email protected]