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I.U.T.F Chairperson Mr Dalton Promoted To 6th Degree Black Belt - December 2002

Congratulations to I.U.T.F Chairperson Mr Don Dalton on his recent promotion to 6th degree black belt. Mr Dalton travelled to London in December for the grading which was under I.T.F Secretary General, Master Raymond Choy 8th Dan. As an instructor who always encourages his students to set themselves goals, and to strive to acheive their goals, Mr Dalton continues to lead by example. One of the highlights of his grading was the congratulations Mr Dalton received from Master Choy on his thesis, which he spent many long hours researching and preparing. 

I.T.F Junior World Championships - Argentina - November 2002

A five person youth team travelled to Buenos Aires, Argentina to compete at the I.T.F Junior World Championships in November. They were: Padraig o' Connor (Listowel), Jonathan Dowling (Tralee), Damien o' Sullivan (Millstreet), Eoin Murphy (Cahirciveen), John o' Connor (Listowel). Padraig won gold in the +70kg division, John won bronze in the -58kg division. 

This was Padraig's last tournament as a junior. He has had an incredible run of sucsess in Junior Internationals, winning 7 major International gold medals. A record of 27 fights, 27 wins, no losses. Below is a diary of the event in Argentina, by Padraig in his own words.

Arrived thursday morning, we were greeted at the airport by an Argentinean official and a team member. They provided transport to the hotel where we met up with  Mr Dalton and we had to register.

After the weigh in we went to check in to our hotel.

Then Damien and myself had to go back to the main hotel and get a bus to the venue and get ready for the opening ceremony. It begun with 2 reps from each country walking in with their flag and standing before the audience and officials. There was the opening speeches. During this 2 of the competitors fainted due to standing straight for nearly an hour in temps between 20 and 30oC. We left and there was a demonstration of trad music and dance

  Friday the hall was laid out with 3 large rings. Ring 1 in the centre raised 2 meters. The hall had a capacity of about 1000 and was overfull.  There was a great atmosphere with the argentine fans singing dancing and playing music.

First fight was against England this was unfortunate because we had formed a good friendship with the English team. He was small and fast a made good use of the large ring. I made hard work of it chasing him around the ring I wasn’t thinking right and it was overall fairly close on points . Second fight was in ring 1 against Peru he was much bigger and stronger than the English fighter and also slower, he used a back leg style which suited me very well. The first round was close and I won well in the second round . This put me into the semi-final on Sunday

Saturday was the team fights. 

It was an open weight event. We had 1 heavyweight 1 welter weight (Eoin) and 3 lightweights. We were against Canada who had 3 heavyweights and 2 middleweights. I fought first beating one of their heavyweights John second beat a middleweight and their team captain. The next 3 fights were all extremely close but the weight difference was too much. Losing 3 we lost the event. As team captain I had hoped to get a medal in the team event and had tried my best to get the rest of the team into the right frame of mind as most of them were intimidated by the occasion. I was very happy with the effort that everyone put in.

  Sunday: semi-final against Russia he was tall and very fast and the Russian team captain. His style was to wait back and spring forward as my leg went down or I was off balance. He used a lot of jumping punches effectively and made it very difficult for me to use my hands after kicking. With 30 seconds to go in the 2^nd round I was losing 1: 2 I could see this on the electronic score board. He tried to stay away but I caught him with 3 mid-section sidekicks to win 3:1

  Final:

Paraguay Well built and we had the same exact style both using lead leg sidekicks and I had seen him earlier winning the power breaking with a sidekick. I started to use some hook turning kick combos, which were working. I was feeling very good and going into the last round I was full of energy and on the mat waiting before the time. I dominated the second round he was getting tired and I won well.

  It was a good feeling as they raised the tricolour and played our national anthem as they presented the medals.    

W.K.A. World Cup – Trier, Germany – November 2002

Congratulations to; John o’ Connor (Listowel) Gold - Junior 55kg and Claire o’ Sullivan (Cahirciveen) Gold - Junior 60kg 

With his confidence riding high from a gold medal win at the W.K.A World Championships (Italy) in August, John was in top form winning all his preliminary rounds by unanimous decision. The first round of the final was closely contested but his opponent couldn’t deal with the relentless pressure John was applying and the fight was stopped mid-way through the second round.

Claire had also fought at the World Championships where she was unfortunate to lose out to her Belgian opponent (who went on to win silver) on a split decision. Things would prove to be different this time however, Claire met the same girl in the final and after a tough battle which thrilled the watching crowd, Claire came out on top.

W.K.A. World Championships – Massa Carrara, Italy – August 2002

A squad of 25 fighters represented the I.U.T.F at these World Championships and after 3 days of tough competition returned an impressive haul of 11 medals (2 Gold, 4 Silver and 5 Bronze).

Mr Riordan had 11 of his students competing.

Representing Listowel were Mr Padraig o’ Connor, Ingrid Diggins and John o’ Connor

From the Cahirciveen club; Claire o’ Sullivan, Marie o’ Sullivan, Ruth Mc Carthy and Sarah Mc Carthy

From the Newcastle West club; Ms Tara Collins, Kevin Larkin (jnr), Dara o’ Shea and Katie Adamkiewicz.

The standard was extremely high at this event and although expectations were exceeded, those unfortunate to miss out on a medal place gained invaluable experience which will surely stand them in good stead for the future. A special mention must go to Mr Paudie o' Shea who had qualified to fight at -85kg earlier in the year, but having sustained a shoulder injury prior to the event was unable to compete. Despite this he opted to travel and lend his support to the team, acting as assistant youth team coach to Mr Riordan. He worked tirelessly over the three days and proved to be a great inspiration to the younger members.

Medal Winners were: