Lily Dela Cour, Catherine McGregor, Danielle McGregor and Orla O’Brien – members of Team Ireland
Last week, a team of Cork Kickboxers travelled to Antalya, Turkey to compete at the WAKO World Kickboxing Championships. A huge thanks to Orla O’Brien – one of the team members – who kept in touch throughout the week and provided us with the news and updates as they were happening.
From the West Cork Kickboxing Club under the guidance of Ian Kingston, 4 fighters took part. Ian is the KBI National Light Contact Coach and has trained multiple World and European Champions over the years. Lily Dela Cour (reigning -50Kgs Junior World and European champion) narrowly lost out to a Bulgarian fighter in what was her first outing as a Senior competitor. Danielle McGregor lost a close split decision to UK’s Karen Bailey in the -65Kg light contact division. Colum O’Brien was also making his debut in the Senior division at -94Kg but was unfortunately pipped at the post by a tough Austrian fighter. However, Caterine McGregor managed to secure a silver medal in the -65Kg Veteran division, almost clinching the gold from a French opponent.
From MIKO Kickboxing, Center Park Road in Cork, head instructor Paul Coffey led by example competing in both the point sparring and light contact +94Kg veteran divisions, securing the bronze in the point sparring.
Bronze medalist Orla O’Brien from Bushido Martial Arts
In the -52Kg full contact division was Orla O’Brien, sponsored by EMC, representing Bushido Martial Arts instructor Colin O’Shaughnessy (Donnybrook, Cork) and also jimmy Upton (Killbarrack Kickboxing, Dublin). She had 3 really tough fights during her week in Turkey. She managed to dispatch both her Hungarian and Spanish opponents to reach the semi-finals where a rematch with her arch-nemeses – Marielle Henson – from Norway, awaited. Just last May, the two fought in Norway and the Cork fighter broke her hand in the bout. Despite an epic performance, the decision went to Norway, leaving Orla in the Bronze medal position. Speaking with her online afterwards, she expressed great satisfaction in her performance seeing as though she had not only returned from breaking her hand but also having lost her father as well during the same month. As she said herself: “He was with me in the Ring” – a fitting dedication to her proudest supporter.
Liam-Og Griffin 