Naoise’s true fighting spirit
A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Loreto Wexford schoolgirl wasn’t going to be stopped by the recent snow storm.
Naoise McManus travelled from Barntown to Citywest in the snow, with Storm Emma no match for this determined youngster as she braved the elements to trek to the Irish open international kickboxing event, the most prestigious of its kind on the calendar.
Naoise dominated the musical weapons section and the creative weapons section where she took gold in both.
She fought off opponents from England, Canada, U.S.A., Northern Ireland, Spain and as far away as Guatemala in the process.
She then moved on to the Under-12 girls’ blackbelt semi contact and lost out by one point to finish third on the podium.
She then went into the girls’ Under-15 section where she lost by two points to put her in fourth place, an amazing achievement to become one of the top female athletes in her division.
This little lady is no stranger to international events.
She is ranked number four in the world in the W.A.K.O. rankings for weapons, and number three in semi contact fighting.
Naoise is the current Irish national champion in all of her divisions, and she trains in the Blackbelt Academy, Waterford.
Naoise won a double of Irish open championship titles and a bronze medal which puts her in the elite group category of martial arts in the world.
If you want to test your mettle, the Irish Open is the one to win.
The Irish Open has been building popularity and has become the largest karate fighting event in the world.
It’s home to some incredible divisions and performances in forms weapons competition as well.
It’s a W.A.K.O. World Cup event but open to all styles and organisations, with fighting divisions that can be nearly one hundred or more competitors deep.
Winning at the Irish Open is truly an accomplishment, and participation in the event is one of the most memorable achievement that many competitors have.
What makes it even more special is that all proceeds from the event are given to charity.
People are not only having an incredible experience, they are also helping children in need.