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Local Taekwon-do athletes help Ireland To No 1 in World
Last week Citywest Convention Centre played host to the biggest Taekwon-do World Championships ever to be held. On top of that it was the first time such a major championships was held in Ireland. Only those close to Irish Taekwon-do will have seen Ireland steadily rise up the rankings over the last ten years but not many would have predicted that Ireland would finish on top out of the 62 countries that took part in this year's World Championships.
Helping Ireland to the number 1 spot was local Taekwon-do Club North Star Taekwon-do Clontarf/Killester with club members winning 5 of the 8 individual gold Ireland achieved at the championships. Adam Shelley, Ryan Shelley, Cian Ince, Colm Carroll and Rebecca Mooney all clinched World sparring titles. Superb performances and individual silver medals for Ellen Ince and Joanne Potter (Quin) has set them up nicely for a fantastic future in their respective divisions with Robert Campion Kennedy and Michael Flavin also securing team sparring silver at junior level.
This is a Championships that Ireland will never forget and one that has elevated Ireland to number 1 in the World in a sport that few talk about. North Star coaches Niall Jones (VI degree) and Gerry Mooney (III degree) are very proud of the achievements of their members and all those who represented team Ireland at the championships. For North Star coach Gerry Mooney the championships had a very personal touch with his daughter Rebecca adding a World title to the European title won earlier this year. Further details on the Championships and plenty of photos can be seen on the NGB website facebook page www.facebook.com/IrishTKDAssociation Congratulations Team Ireland on a job well done and to local club North Star Taekwon-do Clontarf/Killester on the fantastic results. North Star is now gearing up for a busy end of year with colour belt and senior black belt gradings as well as a trip to the UK to compete at the British Open. They are looking to top off what has been a very successful year for the Club and its members!