Kickboxing continues to grow
IF attendance at the Muguendo Open Tournament, and the fact that the World President of WAKO and Mayor of Sligo Municipal District were present to open it, are anything to go by, then it’s an indication of how the sport is growing. The 15th consecutive Muguendo event to be staged in Sligo took place last weekend at the Knocknarea Arena.
The competition at world and European level has changed and the Sligo club take their lead from them, resulting in some new disciplines being added to the event, extending the event to a two day showcase. This is good for Sligo as the adult competitors come and register on Saturday morning for ring sports, which include full contact, low kick, K1 and adult tatami sports such as points, light contact and kick light kicking to the legs.
Quite a number of these adult competitors stay over Saturday night and are joined by the junior athletes on Saturday.
This results in a good atmosphere in the hotels.
The inclusion of the ring sports has thrown up some great contests in low kick K1 and full contact with fighters from all parts of the country, north and south and including the local clubs Sligo Muguendo and Leo Martial arts with fighters to give the local spectators someone to shout for.
Another spirit raiser is the fact that the local Clayton Hotel sponsors the grand champion event with a money prize.
This is a competition where fighters of all weights can compete against each other for the ‘Queen and King of the Clayton’ coveted tshirt.
After a very busy but enjoyable day, the crowds gathered at the Knocknarea Arena for the junior event. It was well supporters as usual with bus loads arriving from all parts of the country.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Mayor of Sligo Municipal District, Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady, who spoke of the contribution that is made to society by sports such as kickboxing and the sense of pride that we get when one of our own achieve something at the very top. She was of course referring to Roy Baker, from Bushido Martial Arts, Leixlip, who only a week earlier was elected to the World President role in Milan.
Roy addressed the large gathering and spoke what sport contributed to his life. He also spoke of the sense of achievement he felt with the recent inclusion of kickboxing in the Olympic programme.