Local kickboxer is European champ

OL� olé olé!! That was the Irish roar when the hand of young Northside kickboxer, Lauren Bradshaw, was raised after she beat her Turkish opponent in the recent final of the WAKO European Kickboxing Championships.

Lauren, who trains out of Jon Mackey’s Red Star kickboxing gym in Cabra, qualified for the event by winning the Kickboxing Ireland national championships earlier in the year.

Having trained consistently, in some cases twice daily, for the past six months, the young Dubliner was in tip top condition on arrival for the championships, which were held in the southern Polish town of Krynica.

Coach Jon Mackey said:

“she was prepared physically and mentally like never before.

“Lauren’s an experienced international fighter but when we made a decision to step things up a notch and enter the WAKO’s we knew there could be no room for error, everything had to be prepared. Mind body and spirit.

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The WAKO championships are renowned for their high standard, drawing the the cream of kickboxers from across Europe. The event itself has become known as the

‘kickboxing Olympics’.

Lauren fought in the +70kg light contact division. She took out a Macedonian fighter on the first day, dominating the fight over the three, two minute rounds. In the next round the Croatian current world champion awaited her.

“You can always hope for a bit of luck in the draw,

? said Joe.

“But this draw was a tough one. Macedonia are known for their tough fighters, they keep coming forward.

“To meet the current world champion in the next round was daunting. We planned that night, we researched and came up with a game plan to deal with her and it paid off.

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The Croatian started strong and went into the lead early in the first round but Lauren’s experience shone through. She sussed out the Croatian and closed her down in round two, bringing herself into the lead.

In round three Lauren caught her with a back reverse turning kick and brought the world champ to her knees twice with nicely timed foot sweeps.

Lauren was victorious and into the finals to face a Turk who had dispatched Russian and Polish opponents in previous rounds.

“The day before the final was preceded by a night of planning and study,

? said Joe.

“We found our Turkish opponent was a national WTF taekwondo champion. So we put our strategy together.

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The Turkish girl was a good foot and a half taller than Lauren and had a deceptive lead leg but that wasn’t to phase the young Dub as she took control of the fight early on and put the young Turk under pressure.

The pressure caused the Turk to default to WTF style kicking, which meant she came forward off the back leg every time only to walk clean onto Lauren’s lead leg, and then she destroyed her on the inside with the hands.

Her opponent left battered and bloodied after three rounds meant Lauren got a unanimous decision and was declared WAKO European champion.

“I was just delighted,

? she said.

“I was very anxious about this event because it was a huge step up for me but we put the work in and prepared right for it. I’m just over the moon.

“I would just like to thank everyone who helped with the fundraising, Dunnes Stores were fantastic with sponsorship, my primary school St Catherine’s offered great support, and still do, and all my friends and the families at the Red Star gym for all their support throughout the year.

“Most importantly though I want to thank my coach, Jon Mackey, who has been training me since I was seven.

“He has been there every step of the way. He has a unique ability to bring out the best in his fighters. I just want to say thank you.

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Kickboxing in Ireland has grown substantially in recent years. Under the guidance of national governing body for the sport, Kickboxing Ireland (KBI), the sport continues to progress across all the disciplines.

“KBI are to the fore of the development of kickboxing in Ireland,

? said Joe.

“All the coaching and support work is done voluntarily. In gyms across the 32 counties of Ireland young kickboxers are being trained for the world stage. However none of these gyms receive any support or subsidy from local or national Government.

“The amount of work being carried out by coaches across the country is outstanding. It is sinful really that no support is offered from local government in developing these gyms and the young fighters.

“Kickboxers from Russia have their training paid for, and their expenses covered by their local government. They understand the importance of the work being carried out at a national level.

“In Ireland many full time gyms are being strangled by council taxes and extortionate rates bills. Some gyms have even closed down due to this. Ireland needs to get its act together for our young amateur combat athletes. Even Katie Taylor is now talking about going professional. It’s a disgrace to know that a two-year-old stallion is given more breaks in this country than any junior involved in our sport. Something needs to change.

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