Red Star's Lauren Bradshaw is the new ITF European Taekwon-Do Champion at +70kg division. Lauren fought incredibly tough opponents from Greece, Bulgaria and the division favourite Russia to take the coveted gold at the championships this week in Sofia, Bulgaria.
From all of us at Red Star a massive congrats to her!
"This couldn't have happened to a more dedicated, committed student. She is an amazing asset to Red Star and now a role model for all our younger students who will train to aspire to her level of proficiency. She thoroughly deserves this title, a wonderful student, a great person and now Euro champ. I am very proud of her" Jon Mackey - Coach.
With a busy few months of Kickboxing behind us, Red Star recently attended an International Kickboxing Federation sanctioned show hosted by Black Dragon's Peter Foley on May 6th. The show was held in Oranmore Co. Galway and Red Star entered six fighters into the show.
After weigh in all our fighters limbered up and waited for the event to kick off. The show attracted a massive audience with the hall jam packed. There was one full size boxing ring and two 7x7 tatami along side it. Once all the fighters were matched off the show got down to business. There was a huge atmosphere in the hall as parents and supporters got behind the kickboxers. First up for Red Star was Karolina Wymyslo, it was a new experience for Karolina who is only training with Red Star a little over a year, she did very well but a few heavy shots had her on the back foot from the bell and well into the first round we decided to call it short, another great experience for Karolina who was happy to have taken part.
Next up for Red Star was Laura Flynn, Laura was on form for the entire bout which was high paced and hard hitting. Laura used her hands and legs in good combinations and secured a top victory. Now we were rolling! Next up was Lauren Bradshaw who remains unbeaten in over a year. Lauren's opponent from Black Dragon was a tough girl who tried to walk through everything Lauren threw at her, eventually towards the end of round one Lauren had her psychologically beaten and the girl decided not come forward much which gave Lauren the green light to dominate the rest of the fight. Dylan Russell also remains unbeaten of late he continued his successful run after his opponent from West Side kickboxing retired early in the first round, Dylan landed some nice back kicks resulting in some knockdowns which sped up the lads decision. Leon Brennan had a high paced bout also as he fought a kid from Limerick Combat Gym. Leon used his ring wisely and slowly but surely wore his opponent down to take another Red Star win. Lastly for Red Star was Lauren Russell who was also victorious, Lauren used her crazy lead leg side kick to great effect picking it up from no where and jamming into her opponent every time she uttered a step forward, her opponent landed a lovely 360 turning kick but that didn't deter Lauren from keeping the pressure on taking the final victory of the day.
The event was tough and high paced and was a great challenge for the Red Star high performance team who have been training for the ITF European Championships next week in Bulgaria. A big thanks to the IKF's Peter Foley for the invite to the show. We are currently talking to Pete about getting Lauren Bradshaw some fights as we eye up the junior girls vacant +75kg Irish championship belt.
You can view videos of the bouts on our Facebook page by clicking here
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Red Star's junior kickboxers competed in the Kickboxing Ireland Leinster Championships on April 15th. The tournament was a regional qualifier for the National Kickboxing Championships which will take place on April 29th. Red Star sent a squad of 8 to compete and of that 8, 6 returned as Leinster Champions with 7 qualifying for the Nationals. Conrgrats to everyone who participated, everyone fought gallantly. The fight of the day goes to Dylan Russell who won the -69kg division after getting to the final with two hard fights. The final was an epic battle of speed and strength with Dylan coming out on top after two nicely placed back kicks in the final round and a number of sharp boxing combinations.
-79kg Jordan Roche Leinster Champion -65kg (Cadets) Lauren Russell Leinster Champion -65kg Erika Walsh Leinster Champion +65kg Lauren Bradshaw Leinster Champion -69kg Dylan Russell Leinster Champion -42kg Kate Cassidy Leinster Champion (SC)
Also qualifying for the National Championships is Karolina Wymyslo who took second place. Hard fought for Laura Flynn who just missed out taking 3rd place.
Well done again to everyone, we look forward now to the National Kickboxing Championships on the 29th in Carrickmacross.
Red Star are proud to be affiliated to the National Governing Body for Kickboxing in Ireland - www.kickboxingireland.com
Congrats to Cabra's Lauren Bradshaw who recently fought at an International Kickboxing Federation sanctioned event in Ashbourne Co. Meath. It was the young competitors first bout in a roped ring which caused no problems for the 14 year old. Lauren was matched against the current WKC world silver medalist from Kombat Kickboxing. Lauren won with a unanimous decision from all three umpires.
The next IKF sanctioned event will be in Oranmore Co. Galway on the 6th May. Red Star would like to thank Pete Foley and the host Mick Burke of Performance martial arts for a great event. We are looking forward to the next one!
