‘Medal is icing on the cake’

DUNDALK Karate members Catherine Marcus and Liam Hoey mixed it with the very best karate-ka from all over the world in Liege, Belgium last week.

The Dundalk duo were among 17 competitors representing Ireland in an overall field of 875 competitors with teams attending from Angola, Brazil, Iraq, Malta, Netherlands, Romania, Togo, Ukraine and further afield.

Catherine and Liam were selected to represent Team CIKA Irelanda number of months ago and Head of Dundalk Karate, Sensei Mary Marcus 3rd Dan, stepped up training for both students, taking twice-weekly sessions in the in Dojo at the Redeemer Family Resource Centre.

The duo also made regular trips to Dublin to train with CIKA Ireland and at fellow team members clubs.

So after many miles and countless training hours, the time finally came to put all their hard work into action on the tatami matts.

With family members, coaches and teammates watching on the sidelines in Liege, both Catherine and Liam fought superbly.

The travelling contingent were delighted with Catherine’s silver in Kumite and with such huge numbers at this truly internatinal competition, it truly was was a magnificent achievement.

Afterwards, Sensei Marcus said: ‘Seeing both Catherine and Liam compete at such a high level is one thing, but to see both excel within their categories and have Catherine come away with a silver was a totally huge cherry on top of our cake.

‘Everyone on Team CIKA Ireland did themselves proud and to see both Catherine and Liam being part of this team is what its all about.”

If you would like any further information on Dundalk Karate or CIKA Ireland you can contact Sensei Marcus on 086 353 1625 or karatequeen@live.com.