KICKBOXING | Six Cobra Kan students ready to take on the world in Florida

Local stars preparing for action at World Championships

Six students from Cobra-Kan Martial Arts and Kickboxing Club have made the journey to Orlando, Florida to take part in the WKC 2017 World Kickboxing Championships.

After spending weeks preparing for the tournament, the group, along with coach Patricia McQuillan have landed in the USA ready to go in search of world titles.

The six Cobra-Kan students will line out with the remainder of the Irish team in Orlando at the opening ceremony on Monday, November 6th with the action beginning on Tuesday.

All the other fighters from Cobra–Kan will take part in the remaining three days of the event and hopefully some of the students will be in the finals on the Friday.

We take a closer look at the individuals who will be representing their club and country across the Atlantic.

Rachael Ruth-McMahon

The eldest student in the team is Rachael Ruth-McMahon, who has been with Cobra–Kan for seven years.

Rachael, who is from Inniskeen in Co Monaghan, will be competing in the 15–17 year-old girls point fighting section and took a bronze medal home last year from this category and is hoping for bigger and better this year.

Rachael is a student at St Louis Convent, Carrickmacross and also a member of Cuchulainn Martial Arts Club in Dundalk which is run by Malcolm Ladley.

Tiernan Weldon

Tiernan Weldon is the next oldest in the group. A member of Cobra–Kan for over seven years, Tiernan is a student of the Marist in Dundalk and hails from Darver.

Tiernan finished as a world champion in the 15–17 year-old boys -65kg points fighting section at last year’s World Championships which were held in Dublin and also took home a bronze medal in the 15–17 years boys light contact.

Tiernan also plays football for Clan na Gael GAA club in Dundalk which means he is training full time in both of his sporting passions.

Sarah Gray

Local Dundalk girl Sarah Gray has been a member of Cobra–Kan for over eight years and is at school in St Vincent’s, Dundalk.

This young lady is not to be underestimated having won a bronze medal for girls 11–12 years point fighting in last year’s championships.

Sarah is another very dedicated member of Cobra–Kan and will be aiming for an even better finish than last year.

Lee Kerr

Hailing from the Point Road area of town, Lee Kerr has been a student of Cobra–Kan for seven years and is a student of St Bridget’s School, Dundalk.

One of the club’s avid students who has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, Lee will be taking part in the boys 13–14 year-old point fighting section and will have his mind set on the medals.

Oisin Myles

Another Dundalk local, Oisin Myles is like the baby of the gang, having only been with Cobra–Kan for the past three years.

He is at school in the Marist Dundalk and has become a promising fighter from the club.

Oisin will take part in the boys 13–14 year-old points section and in only his second year at this level, will be aiming for medals.

Dominykas

Another young man from the town, Dominykas is also a student at the Marist.

A student with Cobra–Kan for the past four years, ‘Dom’ as he is known to all at the club is hoping to do well in the boys 13–14 year-old points category, a different weight category than Oisin’s.

Everyone in the club and on the committee would like to wish all of these students the very best of luck!

Before you go…

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