Thailand awaits for Muay Thai athletes
Jamie Fagan, Leigha Kinsella and AJ Kiely, of Waterford Muaythai three of the Ten juniors of Team Ireland who are travelling to Thailand to represent our country at the IFMA Youth World Championship in September, pictured with their coaches, John Walsh and Olga DeVignat. Photos: Joe Evans
Three members of the Waterford Muay Thai group will represent Ireland at the junior World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, which get underway next week, September 10, with two of their coaches also set to travel.
Jamie Fagan, AJ Kiely and Leigha Kinsella will be part of the ten-team Irish challenge that will take part in the competitions that will see over 2000 competitors from across the world go head-to-head in a bid for medals.
Under the watchful eye of coaches Olga DeVignat, who will also act as a referee for the events, and John Walsh, the three teenagers are members of the Waterford Muay Thai group, and they’ll be eager to impress in the Thailand capital.
Another Waterford man, Thomas Doyle, will also be a referee at the championship finals as over 100 referees are needed to ensure the safe running of the event that will see coaches DeVignat and Walsh joined by fellow Irish coaches, Danni McCormack and Alan McCormack.
The Irish Muaythai council are the governing body for Muaythai in Ireland and a member of International federation of Muaythai amateur and is fully Olympic recognized with over 170 member countries.
Speaking ahead of the championships, Waterford Muay Thai coach John Walsh said: “There will be over 2000 athletes at the junior world championships in Bangkok, Thailand this September and we’re delighted to be represented by Leigha, AJ, and Jamie.
“Ten Irish junior athletes have been selected to represent our country at these championships. Our gym in Waterford has three of those ten selected.
“Leigha Kinsella 14 years old, started training with us at 6 years of age and has won lots of national titles and also beaten international champions in her over 20 fight career so far. AJ Kiely 13 years old, only started with us under 2 years ago, he has won one national title and is unbeaten in his 12 fights so far.
“Jamie Fagan 16 years old with over 30 fights, winning most of them. He has been training with us since he was four years of age, winning numerous national titles in this time.” The other members of team Ireland are from the Relentless martial arts gym in Mullingar, Cadhla Gilhooley, Kayden Dalton, Olivia Babiarz, Marta Hlynska, Tiernan Coyne, Davin Dalton, Filip Tomka. We wish them and the Irish team the very best of luck in Thailand.
