TOMMY IS OUR WORLD CHAMP
LOCAL man Tom Ó hOisticín is riding high after securing a gold medal at the World Karate Championships in Portugal last week.
Sensei Tom is now World Kata champion after he travelled to Portugal as part of the Irish team.
The Championships are organised by the World Karate & Kickboxing Commission ( WKC) which is the governing body dedicated to promoting martial arts excellence and world class competitions.
Blackbelt Tom, from the Beamore Road, was thrilled to take home the gold medal from the WKC Championships. Tom was part of the Irish WKC team and the squad were very successful with a very impressive medal count.
He won a gold medal, two silver and a bronze in various events at the prestigious championships, which were run over three days in Portugal’s Algarve.
This was the pinnacle of a very successful career in international competition.
Two years ago Tom became All American Kata Champion in the AKJU National Championships in Ohio, USA.
He has also taken gold three years in a row in the prestigious Irish Cup International competition.
Speaking to the Drogheda Independent, Sensei Tom said: ‘When I stood on the winner’s podium and they played the Irish National Anthem it was a very emotional moment. I specialise in weapons training - this meant that I was able to carry on competing at International level much longer than one would expect.
‘Winning the All-American nationals two years ago was great - but this gold medal at the world championships tops the lot. I wish to pay tribute to the Irish coach, Shihan Brendan Donnelly, another Drogheda man, for all he has done for team WKC.
‘However, I am a little uncomfortable with the title ‘World Champion’. It’s more about being the best that you can be. But I could never have achieved any of it without the constant support of my family, Martin and Mary.’
Adult classes in Karate and Jiu Jitsu are held on Monday and Wednesday 8pm in the Holy Family Parish Centre, Ballsgrove.