Stephen takes up major role in kickboxing world
THE COUNTY of Wexford is seeing another young leader in the world of sport, as 29-year-old Stephen Murphy from Kilrane has taken up a post as the W.T.K.A. world kickboxing representative for the entire country.
What does this mean? The W.T.K.A. is a one of the world’s most prominent martial arts organisations, facilitating all martial arts from tae-kwon do, kung-fu, kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
Therefore, Stephen will be in charge of organising all such fights both nationally and internally through the W.T.K.A. world kickboxing organisation.
Stephen’s own martial arts career has spanned an incredible 25 years.
In that time, Stephen has secured an abundance of Irish Junior and Senior titles and several European titles.
Amazing, right? Not good enough, however, for the already prestigious fighter. While the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor was dreaming about being two-weight world champion, young Murphy had succeeded in securing world titles in three weight divisions.
Stephen has worked closely alongside his father, Billy Murphy, who happens to be the W.K.A. President for Ireland.
Billy has shown tremendous leadership for this world organisation to date and has put kickboxing on the map for Ireland.
It seems Stephen is set to follow closely in his father’s footsteps. When speaking to Stephen he explained the prominence of combat sports in Ireland:
‘Kickboxing is in my blood. It’s part of who I am. I have a distinct passion for the sport and I now have a real platform whereby I can promote kickboxing, and Irish kickboxers in particular, and put them on a world stage.
‘We’re a nation which has always excelled at combat sports and it’s time to show the world how good we are. That’s what I want to do.’
Stephen’s most recent accomplishment was celebrated at St. John’s Community Centre recently with family, fellow club members from the Wexford Academy of Martial Arts, deputy Mayor Tony Dempsey, honoured guests Darrell Byrne, and a host of the club’s trustees, including Padge Reck, Charlie Golden, Anthony Kelly and James Browne.
The future of martial arts looks very bright indeed while Stephen and his father, Billy, are at the helm. Stephen holds both private and group kickboxing classes out of St. John’s Community Centre in Mannix Place, Wexford.
For more information, contact Stephen on 087-7682143.