Irish Nationals 2006

On Saturday the 13th of May eight students from Inverclyde Tae Kwon-Do travelled to Dublin to compete in the AIMAA Irish Nationals, hosted by Mr James Farrell of the Action International Martial Arts Association (AIMAA) Ireland branch.

The students competed in both continuous sparring and breaking divisions.

Lauren Malughton, James Lewis, Liam Daisley, Rachel Miller, Caroline Bethel, Steven Daisley and Ross Derrick did extremely well to compete on the day as the contact was a lot harder than they were used to. Coming home with 7 trophies between them for there efforts 2 Gold and 5 Bronze.

Lauren Mulaghton age 7 the youngest of the group was first up in a division of over 20 six and seven year olds after wining her first fight she came up against the eventual winner but done very well receiving a participation medal.

James Lewis and Liam Daisley were up next in the boys eight to nine year old division. James wining his first fight moved on to the next round but was unsuccessful in reaching the final in the best fight I've seen from him. Liam Daisley lost his first fight, after a very strong battle against his opponent he just lost out, both boys took joint 3rd.

Rachel Miller age 12 put up a very good fight against her first fighter just missing out on a very even fight she went on to win her second fight and take 3rd place. James Moran age 12 put in some of the best fights I've seen from him at this tournament winning his first fight in a white wash he was unlucky not to make the final taking 3rd place. Caroline Bethel age 14 winning her first fight came up against the largest girl in the group in the final. Over two round Caroline came out on top to take first place a title she truly deserved to win. Steven Daisley was very unlucky not to receive a placing at this competition as he came up against some full contact fighters in the early rounds. Winning his first two fight he failed to make any of the finals.

Ross Derrick was the last of the group to fight, with no one in his weight category he was moved up into the 70kg section a full 10kilos heavier than he was. Coming up against one of the most feared fighters in Ireland, Ross received a bust eye, five hour stay in Hospital, and 3rd place for his efforts. He is now on the road to recovery and cant wait until the next competition.

The breaking divisions came next with James Lewis being the only one in the group to receive a place taking 1st in the boys eight to nine year olds division. Everyone else done extremely well to take part in this as they have never done it before in competition.

The whole group then were taken out on the Saturday night for a lovely Chinese meal by the Irish students. The students then undertook a very gruelling training session on the Sunday afternoon with Master John Darcy the Head of AIMAA Ireland and AIMAA's European Director, before flying home on the Sunday evening. Master Darcy has now promised the students of Inverclyde to come and visit them in September when the club will host there annual Scottish Open in the Greenock Sports Centre, were we hope to have a four nations team competition (Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales) he will also hold a seminar for the students as well.

Mr Boyle club coach would like to say a very well done to everyone who travelled to Dublin for the Nationals as it was arranged with very little notice for the students.