Local youngsters to fight for Ireland

GLASNEVIN Kenpo Karate Club and Larkhill Karate Club in Santry are delighted to announce that two of their young members have been selected for the upcoming EKF Junior & Cadet and Under 21 European Championships in Budapest. 

Anthony Kelly and Ryan Coleman have been selected to compete in the Cadet Kumite Male categories which will see the former taking part in -52kg weight class and the latter in the -57kg category. 

The championships will run from February 6-9 and this is the first time both athletes will represent Ireland at this level. 

Both clubs, which are part of the Irish Kenpo Karate Union (IKKU), have been successful over the past number of years in producing national team athletes while coaches Paul Brennan and Eamonn Pegley are also head coach and assistant coach respectively within the ONAKAI National Team coaching staff. 

Pegely, who coaches out of Larkhill Karate Club, said: “As a coach within the IKKU, I am very proud of the lads being selected. 

“It's a testament to all their hard work and also to the IKKU who have such a great system in place to support and fund our athletes.”

Paul Brennan, head coach of the IKKU and national team, added: “All the hard work has been done now and all that is left is for the lads to go out there, do their best and, most of all, enjoy themselves. I will be very proud of them no matter what the outcome.”