Tyrone Courier - Sports - Dungannon kickboxers take medals in NI Championships

Sports

Dungannon kickboxers take medals in NI Championships

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

THE people of Tyrone won't have to wait until the Summer and London 2012 for a glimpse of sporting medals.
Dungannon Kickboxing Club went north to Londonderry for the Northern Ireland Kickboxing Championships and came home with a glut of golds, silver and bronze medals.
Under the leadership of coach, Stuart Kirk, a host of juniors from Dungannon kickboxing went off to compete against Northern Ireland's top practitioners of karate, Kung Fu, Tae kwon do and kickboxing.
Staged in the maiden city, hundreds of young people from all over the province gathered to try to win the coveted 2012 Northern Ireland titles.
It was the next generation of kickboxers from South Tyrone who competed in the safety-conscious light continuous style of kickboxing, to become Northern Ireland's champs.
Juniors fight in weight and age divisions and first up from Dungannon was Coach Kirk's own son, Daniel Kirk (11). Daniel has his father's pedigree but is keen to fill his own trophy cabinet with kickboxing awards.
Daniel battled his way through to the final in the -30kg section where he faced a much-fancied Portadown Kung fu practitioner, who was tipped to take the NI title as he had done in previous years. Yet no one told Daniel of these expectations and he went out to win in resounding fashion.
Next up from the Dungannon camp was another Kirk, this time a nephew of the coach. Jordan Kirk was competing in the -35 kg section and keen to match his cousin's record.
After again battling his way through to the final, beating fighters from Limavady Jordan came up against the reigning NI champion and current European junior -35kg champ. Unfortunately Jordan has to withdraw at this stage, but the scene is set for a future battle in that division.
Stepping in at -40kg was young Lewis Connelly from the Bush area. This was Lewis' first ever tournament and as well as enjoying the occasion he showed real talent as he beat local fighters on his way to attaining the bronze medal.
In the female section, first up was Edendork's Jade Gillen who continued in the run of exceeding expectations, produced a gold medal winning performance by beating another local Londonderry martial artist from the highly rated Phoenix club.
To top off the club's tally of medals, Tammie Irwin stepped up to claim the gold in her -60kg division too. A real clean sweep of medals for the girls.
The juniors really enjoyed their day out and are not content to rest on their laurels. Next up these juniors and others will make their way south to Sligo on 12th February, accompanied by one of the club's newest and youngest competitors, six year old Jayden Williamson from Fairfield in the town.
While the juniors where busy up in the north west the seniors of Dungannon Kickboxing Club were themselves busy, as they prepare for a forthcoming fight night in Portadown on Saturday 25th February. The Fight Club NI promo is being held in the Carngrove Hotel and will feature many Dungannon based fighters. After witnessing the success of her juniors, Dungannon junior coach Cathy Frizzel from Moygashel will fight against a much fancied opponent from the south. Cathy will face off against Bernadette Quinn from one of the top clubs in the Republic. Cathy has shown real promise and ambition in her fight career and this fight will hopefully push her on towards a one time title shot in the next year or two.
Another title hungry fighter is Moy based Lithuanian fighter Lynas "lionheart" Bielinis. The cruiserweight fighter hopes to take on a Larne kickboxer, who has repeatedly challenged for Northern Ireland titles. Lynas has already met his tough opponent in a three round battle, this time the stakes are higher as this is for a Northern Ireland title. Coach Kirk is driving his man hard, bringing down sparring partners from some of the top clubs in the country.
Another of Dungannon's fighters Moygashel's Glen Smyton will also fight on the show.
As well as Dungannon Kickboxing Club, the town's other kickboxing clubs, who all work in close partnerships, are all preparing for the busy season ahead. Bov's Gym, in Donaghmore, are themselves preparing for the Portadown show on 25th February with Clonoe's Shea McGeary, Coalisland's Johnny McGlone and Stewartstown's Ryan O'Donnell all set to fight full contact rules. While KCAM kickboxing at Bush, has Clare McQuillan starting to train for her bout against a Red Dragons fighter in Antrim, during March.