tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40048082339773326332024-03-05T19:35:51.214+00:00real girl sportwomen in combat sport - read it, do it!real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.comBlogger866125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-3290547005129139042020-04-08T12:41:00.000+01:002020-06-12T12:42:44.336+01:00Temporary switch from blogging to Instagram <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXwL6TKJHKyauu29vgMRUcgP-7r1zuM_LSufKogrVFH945zCqTg1lyrTSe-UEN8JjTel0zGhTlkF5UVvlHWi6czvlxOhx53gEH2J_DN-d-3RT2SeTdhHZutd6sXxXLOwGVgZ3-BETEXqy/s1600/united-nations-covid-19-response-5hp3iqwZXD8-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXwL6TKJHKyauu29vgMRUcgP-7r1zuM_LSufKogrVFH945zCqTg1lyrTSe-UEN8JjTel0zGhTlkF5UVvlHWi6czvlxOhx53gEH2J_DN-d-3RT2SeTdhHZutd6sXxXLOwGVgZ3-BETEXqy/s1600/united-nations-covid-19-response-5hp3iqwZXD8-unsplash.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hello everyone, hope you are all well and staying at home, following whatever rules apply where you are. We are all missing training and watching sport, it could be a long time before we get to do that again. Let's hang in there, support each other and stay safe. <br />
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I am not updating the blog during this time. You can find me on Instagram chatting about the same things we talked about here. It feels like a time to be more personal and direct. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/realgirlsport/" target="_blank">@realgirlsport on Instagram </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://unitednations.talenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Image above from the UN Art drive for COVID19 </a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-165007060504168542019-11-25T13:07:00.000+00:002019-11-26T13:07:25.370+00:00Greta Streimikyte on succeeding in spite of labels <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbSxnRlJMhytqafyKcRTFMa4L5xE2o4_nM-fvsoidY-Gdz4R69IDhMIbzNeg6ZG6roiCbble8taJkec9G3JkWf4T0km2gImz585XZ_ELioSTYh-IjuUsoTUxsgO5uob5g5V4WoR3i9yuu/s1600/Greata+Stremikyte+rte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbSxnRlJMhytqafyKcRTFMa4L5xE2o4_nM-fvsoidY-Gdz4R69IDhMIbzNeg6ZG6roiCbble8taJkec9G3JkWf4T0km2gImz585XZ_ELioSTYh-IjuUsoTUxsgO5uob5g5V4WoR3i9yuu/s640/Greata+Stremikyte+rte.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.rte.ie/sport/paralympics/2019/1114/1090765-greta-streimikyte-finishes-fifth-in-t13-1500-final/" target="_blank">Greta Streimikyte RTE</a> </td></tr>
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Sport is all about categories, weights, divisions and labels but sometimes you meet someone who crosses over those boxes and simply does her own thing. You could call Greta Streimikyte an athlete, a runner, a visually-impaired woman, a graduate, a trainer, a European champion, a Paralympian or an achiever and you'd be right but for her it's all just living. </div>
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<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/we-are-amazing-at-adapting-because-we-don-t-have-a-choice-1.4074835" target="_blank">We spent over an hour chatting in Swords recently</a>, it was one of those interviews that takes off and the questions almost appear by themselves as she had so much to say. For me it was an education in middle-distance running and the chess-moves needed to get to the front at the right time and stay there. </div>
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The mentality that breeds in athletes is fascinating. Greta starts by saying it's all about running as fast as you can, but then she adds in so many variations. </div>
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She says: "We plan so we know these are the girls; we know their time for the 1,500m and we would think this girl is fast so she might kick at the end. So, let’s say if I don’t have that speed, that means I need to go fast at the start. But it’s a championships race, you can plan it as well as you think but you never know." </div>
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And even though she's proud of flying the Irish flag at these elite events, she's also determined not to be defined as a Visually-Impaired athlete. She talks about running and playing with her brother and sister - they are triplets - as a child, about moving from Lithuania to Ireland as a teenager and now finishing her degree at DCU. There are normal, everyday things and even though to us coping without full sight seems impossible, Greta makes it seem normal. </div>
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Off the track she works with children in schools around Dublin, spending time especially with immigrant kids and says shyly: "I tell them that everything is going to be OK." </div>
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There's a sense from her that everything is going to be OK because she won't accept things being any other way. She also talks though about losing and how you have to accept that, in the same way maybe that she has accepted her lot in life and is working to overcome that all the time. </div>
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Shortly after we spoke she came 5th in the finals at the World Para Athletics Championships. Again this is an achivement many would be proud of but for Greta it's not quite where she sees herself. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGHpwPMYza8" target="_blank">You can watch her talk about this with Paralympics Ireland on their Youtube. </a></div>
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Qualifying for Tokyo2020 is next on her agenda. If she wins the coveted Paralympic medal that's one label she might be happy to claim. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">👍 </span>Follow Greta on: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/streimikyte?lang=en" target="_blank">Twitter: @streimikyte </a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/streimikytegreta_/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram: @streimikytegreta_</a></span></div>
real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-72474311240451162302019-11-18T12:19:00.001+00:002019-11-18T12:21:19.550+00:00The Grass Ceiling in Irish sport <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktfxTPAQgZhbOS_uUh2P2twNGjr2V481hi-SnMPTHtZNoa7RIm-8DSN5C6Sd0UOKEsO5c6dTetMhkX1SgRsxMoFx388-VMUamjkoJKSEb3RYFmtLWypoG-uw_tWUeJsuWj6SkCPfsPre1/s1600/The+Glass+Ceiling+trailer+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktfxTPAQgZhbOS_uUh2P2twNGjr2V481hi-SnMPTHtZNoa7RIm-8DSN5C6Sd0UOKEsO5c6dTetMhkX1SgRsxMoFx388-VMUamjkoJKSEb3RYFmtLWypoG-uw_tWUeJsuWj6SkCPfsPre1/s1600/The+Glass+Ceiling+trailer+image.jpg" /></a></div>
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Films about women in sport can be fluffy, but not The Grass Ceiling. Watching the trailer you're left with one line running around in your head: engine not ornament. </div>
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The short had its premiere at the Cork Film Festival on Saturday so it reflects the views of women who love competing but until recently didn't have a voice.</div>
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The three athletes featured are <a href="https://twitter.com/RiannaJarrett" target="_blank">Rianna Jarrett, soccer</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/elise_squirrel" target="_blank">Elise O'Bryne-White</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/eimear_ryan" target="_blank">author/camogie player Eimear Ryan.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/columnists/the-grass-ceiling-knows-no-bounds-964626.html" target="_blank">Eimear wrote a piece in the Irish Examiner</a> explaining the background, a lovely tale of moving from an essay tentatively exploring frustration to eventually a short film. She says: "The essay ended up being as much about gender as it was about hurling, as I tried to convey what it was like growing up in a sport where the women’s code was always secondary to the men’s."</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/iseulthowlett" target="_blank">Film-maker Iseult Howlett </a>read that eassy in Winter Papers and this is the result. Trailer here, and follow Iseult on Twitter for more viewings. </div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4WulegA-Uo8" width="560"></iframe>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-72723730341337073902019-11-11T15:07:00.000+00:002019-11-20T11:34:59.259+00:00Time for fantasy league for women's sports? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06n11wW1VyXJBkkWUXW-i8O_M2k6G52bdtVZASdz-4j7oUiqrofbOHLRhB2vzsN9uCn7AKeSMmyVMexBchiEXJd25XW93yIKUyWAd75S8mbE33HLQ0kkpZp8RebjNzkAbD_7pMo0eT7Xf/s1600/Sheplays+podcast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06n11wW1VyXJBkkWUXW-i8O_M2k6G52bdtVZASdz-4j7oUiqrofbOHLRhB2vzsN9uCn7AKeSMmyVMexBchiEXJd25XW93yIKUyWAd75S8mbE33HLQ0kkpZp8RebjNzkAbD_7pMo0eT7Xf/s1600/Sheplays+podcast.jpg" /></a></div>
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The football fantasy league is the mainstay of many an office or pub group, but until recently was mostly confined to male sports. An app and podcast launching in America is turning that around to focus only on women's sports. </div>
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When first got an email from She Plays, I was a bit reluctant to open the link - pretty sure it was going to be another wasted and misplaced promo bid. But when the top lines on the site reference the massive gap between media coverage of women's sports and the numbers of women playing, I knew it was safe to scroll on. <br />
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This app is how<a href="https://she-plays.com/meet-the-team/" target="_blank"> Ashly Hart and the She Plays team</a> are tackling that gap. Sure, they are hoping to make some money along the way but it's an intriguing idea to link passion with some funding going back into the leagues. <br />
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She Plays is partnered with the United States Women’s Football League (American football we would say) which is a solid start. They will offer fans from these sports and others the chance to set up a private league with up to 20% of each player’s fee going to that particular sports-league. <br />
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You can’t play yet, but they are taking registration for the community. I like that they’ve taken note of the possible ignorance among women of how a league would work; a normal situation as they may not have been interested before. The site comes with explainer videos, and yes I know there’s a good chance this will be shouted down as “mansplaining” and “patronising” but if it works … <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqcl4LQ3hKlonYnbMAfAaXk3a9SrSsYn5hWsJbI-iLY7n4SvCA7TUZLyr-cMqnUbXAp2ya4mH69Awf1EmyncRa_qPYkgN5HCrpGln7jTCaAhtbvSdI_LwzM-MXYAsk8omkQLTQiGu5pdI/s1600/Ashley+She+Plays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqcl4LQ3hKlonYnbMAfAaXk3a9SrSsYn5hWsJbI-iLY7n4SvCA7TUZLyr-cMqnUbXAp2ya4mH69Awf1EmyncRa_qPYkgN5HCrpGln7jTCaAhtbvSdI_LwzM-MXYAsk8omkQLTQiGu5pdI/s1600/Ashley+She+Plays.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ashley says: “Our new company is building the first ever fantasy sports site dedicated solely to women’s professional sports leagues. It is proven that fantasy sports help grow the sport and leagues themselves and so we are wanting to hopefully help grow women's leagues by providing this.” <br />
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Interestingly they have already launched the free podcast service, with lots of interviews including this <a href="https://anchor.fm/she-plays/episodes/Revolutionary-Runner-Kathrine-Switzer-e8ecuo" target="_blank">podcast with marathoner Kathrine Switzer</a> as well as a whole host of team sports interviews.<br />
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That notion of offering things from free is maybe coming from their <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1286511686/she-plays-fantasy-sports-for-womens-professional-l" target="_blank">funding source: Kickstarter.</a> That tells you there is a market out there for betting, even in a small way, on women’s sports. <br />
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And while googling around on She Plays I found an <a href="https://www.sheplays.com.au/" target="_blank">Australian site ShePlays au</a>. They are doing a similar thing inspired by the Mathildas - the Australian soccer team - to run an app around the women’s soccer league there. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3OuJt3KeMR45AoUShU2K5W-ldGR1gaLt08jiOAgjt3va8P6vpFrCkJTASMCpGBW7IJB7YpPKA6P1YPRoxZ6h37KV4vjLWI4cxAotds0sFwyayNNiKDcivOSKmQOFQOzMLEhK8kfrVfEQ/s1600/Australia+She+Plays+sample+FB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3OuJt3KeMR45AoUShU2K5W-ldGR1gaLt08jiOAgjt3va8P6vpFrCkJTASMCpGBW7IJB7YpPKA6P1YPRoxZ6h37KV4vjLWI4cxAotds0sFwyayNNiKDcivOSKmQOFQOzMLEhK8kfrVfEQ/s1600/Australia+She+Plays+sample+FB.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sheplaysfantasyfootball/?__xts__[0]=68.ARCRsMgty2L3J0tw-T1Bwmva0kimul84agrLcXlKxgGTsoYmSX6TE31siMD21B0nv6qGMRxzv7hBTNKfa2WVMRZWx_DizHR1FzmF2EEekjsDt-ycvkzWWa9eyvs81E4EjZjkVTFuKtdZ9_QQckDuU0lk_gHv9rpz07Z6Ev_VLN90Z2QoIjT3dEps270l2-SSh4k5JDao52aTHX02dn3dGJ51SGvytK84p1xtnb4CiqIHq8qRMpJ-HYexDKUUnFVb5OZaK-9GpstRFzVdybpidfZNKOtGsjiDEirF7vUW-S9kP-I1aOvWED2k7wI4xVV9hKzjmpgLY73Q5GZSigTQ9UbIhVJ0" target="_blank">Sample page from the Australia She Plays league on their FB </a></td></tr>
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Other than that, everything I saw was geared towards men's sports. One of the bigger companies I found is PlayOn, based in Dublin.
I’m not a member but a quick scroll through their social media channels
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Fantasy leagues of course are an area with potential concerns, as gambling has a frightening way of taking off from that one small bet to something horrific whether money is involved from the start or not. So take all of this with a pinch of salt and stick to the small investments. </div>
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The next step closer to home if both these systems work might be a camogie or Ladies Football fantasy league app? </div>
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<b><a href="https://she-plays.com/" target="_blank">She Plays USA</a> </b></div>
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<a href="https://www.sheplays.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>ShePlays Australia </b></a></div>
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<i>Disclaimer: I have no relationship, financial or otherwise, with either of these apps or related products. </i></div>
real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-89393710829033126052019-11-04T12:53:00.000+00:002019-11-05T12:54:54.736+00:00Rugby referee Grainne Crabtree on overcoming abuse <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Over the summer I got to meet someone who faced the consequences of sexism in sport running out of control. Grainne Crabtree faced down the problem with grace and professionalism, and still togs out every week in her referee gear. <br />
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I'd read last year that rugby referees in Ulster were going on strike, and that unusually it was in defence of a female referee. I only say unusual because the number of women opting for refereeing is still quite low compared to the number of women players.<br />
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BBCNI carried some intriguing reports - <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-45551801" target="_blank">rugby referees protest</a> - which indicated a fairly independent-mind woman facing problems, none of her own making. It was fascinating to watch how her fellow referees support Grainne, and pushed the rugby authorities to make this right.<br />
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Speaking to Grainne months after all of that, she was so calm that it was clear to see no matter how upsetting the verbal abuse at that game was at the time, she's found a way to put it all behind her. And again in an unusual move, she wanted to describe what happned and how she coped with it so that new female refs won't have to experience this.<br />
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The really interesting questions raised were around how the authorities dealt with it at the time. You can follow the timeline and imagine them hoping this would just blow away. But the referees were determined to avoid that. You have to wonder if they hadn't started the boycott of matches would the second (and larger) fine have been imposed? Would the overall investigation of attitudes have taken place?<br />
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Decide for yourself after <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/i-feel-a-bit-sorry-for-them-referee-crabtree-shows-abusers-who-s-in-charge-1.3933333" target="_blank">reading this interview I did with Crabtree. </a>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-76614385216941218442019-10-21T13:09:00.000+01:002019-10-21T13:09:25.208+01:00Boxer Cathy McAleer on the move with new sponsor <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Cathy McAleer has spent her fighting career breaking barriers, and with the addition of a significant sponsor to her team she’s ready for more. Insurance company Its4Women have just opened in Northern Ireland, and as they were one of the first to sponsor Katie Taylor, it’s not surprising they’ve turned to Cathy. </div>
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<br />She’s had a frustrating few months, with two fights cancelled including one that was set for this Friday in Belfast. It’s been fantastic the last year or so to see the growth of women’s fighting, but a good dose of reality when you see how almost impossible it is to make matches if someone is injured. </div>
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All that wheeling and dealing which goes on behind the scenes in men’s boxing can make the re-matching appear seamless, but it’s not so easy for women’s bouts yet. <br /> </div>
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Cathy says: “I was disappointed when I found out that the fight scheduled to take place on Friday wasn’t going ahead. I’m not going to let this delay put me off. I’ve invested a lot of time and energy in my training programme. I’m physically strong and I’m prepared to travel to make the fight happen. </div>
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I hope to make history as the first lady to fight for a commonwealth title belt.”</div>
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<br />Social media accounts like <a href="https://twitter.com/Irishboxingcom" target="_blank">IrishBoxing</a> have been pushing a Commonwealth match-up with <a href="https://twitter.com/scourtenay?lang=en" target="_blank">Shannon Courtenay</a> but nothing is set yet. <br /> </div>
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In the meantime, the bantamweight boxer’s got some new gear courtesy of her sponsor. And <a href="https://its4women.co.uk/" target="_blank">its4women</a> marketing manager Kerry Beckett certainly sounds confident, saying: “Our ethos is one of empowerment, to help everyone realise their potential. Cathy McAleer is already a world class athlete who wants to be a boxing world champion. We believe she has got what it takes, and as a world class insurance provider we want to help her achieve her goal. “ <br /> </div>
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I first interviewed Cathy last year when she made her debut - <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/irish-boxing-lands-a-women-s-one-two-with-new-professional-fighters-1.3697817" target="_blank">read that on the Irish Times</a> - and I was so impressed with her ambition. Turning 40 is usually a time for sportswomen to say, alright I’ve done a lot but it’s time for something else. Cathy’s held world titles in Karate, Kickboxing and represented Down in Ladies Football. <br /> </div>
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You can see how the exploding women’s fight scene is tempting though, and with coach John Breen behind her there’s hopefully a few title shots in the making yet. <br /> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/cathymcaleer?lang=en" target="_blank">Follow Cathy McAleer on Twitter: @cathymcaleer</a></span>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-77871749729132038862019-07-15T14:03:00.000+01:002019-11-05T15:09:04.662+00:00Boxing talent on display in Offaly as Ireland face Italy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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People talk about the Katie Taylor effect on girls in boxing today, but you need to spend an evening ring-side watching young girls boxing to really understand that phrase. Boxing coach Liam Brereton has been working with girls for years, and is seeing the results today. <br />
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Team Ireland and Team Italy at schoolgirl level faced each other one
sunny evening in July. I knew Liam from his Twitter account but we’d
never met so I thought this was a good excuse to see the set-up and get
some fights in. <br />
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I have to say though, I wasn’t expecting the
level of skill and talent on show for the night. It was great, and an
exciting demonstration that the old days are gone forever. In fact, when
I chatted to some of the girls afterwards they were so accepting and
normal of the night that you realised the genie really can’t go back in
the bottle here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RryJ0nAg0wYKtLT_cV-G0Y02lwF0OGr7mJEaOAMzOK6KngtI4gsTs7y4TSnEn9PcNBa7sdwUGn_mxKUGuLBubJROkeKxlX4eL2IB8A-pn_IPUKq_PGgv3OvbW7JuAjLOSIzHxb6tprm1/s1600/100719+Liam+Berenton+coach+w+Team+Italy+coach+in+Offaly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RryJ0nAg0wYKtLT_cV-G0Y02lwF0OGr7mJEaOAMzOK6KngtI4gsTs7y4TSnEn9PcNBa7sdwUGn_mxKUGuLBubJROkeKxlX4eL2IB8A-pn_IPUKq_PGgv3OvbW7JuAjLOSIzHxb6tprm1/s1600/100719+Liam+Berenton+coach+w+Team+Italy+coach+in+Offaly.jpg" /></a>They talked about Katie Taylor of course, but also Kelly Harrington (world champion in 2018), Grainne Walsh, Michaela Walsh and their peers. They were looking around at each other, wondering who is going to make the break, to get on the Irish senior team when they’re older. <br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzzszRbims8/" target="_blank">Some more photos here on my Instagram. </a><br />
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The gym itself in Edenderry is well-worth a visit too for anyone serious about their boxing training. Full-size ring set up downstairs, with dormitories and kitchen facilities upstairs. Next month they’re expecting up to 200 international boxers (all girls) to stay for a camp.<br />
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<b><a href="https://twitter.com/bluealgero?lang=en" target="_blank">Follow Liam Berenton on Twitter @bluealgero</a></b><br />
<b><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/IABABOXING?lang=en" target="_blank">Follow the Irish Athletic Boxing Association on Twitter </a></b><br />
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<br />real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-22822803061793155242019-06-10T11:31:00.002+01:002019-06-10T11:31:33.425+01:00Can Irish schools rescue girls' fitness levels?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ireland's approach to PE in schools used to be really narrow and left many kids feeling bored and left out. But a new programme running in 80 Irish schools includes individual sports even fighting sports as well as dance and outdoor sports. It could be the secret to keeping girls interested in sports.<br />
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I heard this new programme was launching in secondary schools last year, but it was only when I had the chance to speak to some people involved in running it that the real potential became clear. PE is now a subject on the Leaving Cert (final year exam for students in Ireland) which is a huge thing as it means girls playing sport can get points now for that. Very exciting move.<br />
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But the curriculum for this and for a non-exam subject are just so different to what you'd expect, different and exciting. First off the students can choose their own sports from a really broad range which allows them to include dance, kayaking or martial arts as well as the traditional ball sports.<br />
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As you can probably tell from this blog I'm a big fan of lesser-known sports so this is a huge development.<br />
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I talked to one teacher in Cork Tony McSweeey who is also a Muaythai trainer. So now instead of following the old list of sports, he can give them a choice including Muaythai. They did a few classes, and who knows some of them may go for it.<br />
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Sports bodies like Cycling Ireland are involved too, as the for the exam students they can only work with sports which have a recognised national body.<br />
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One of my favourite stories about the change these programmes are having came from Prof Deborah Tannehill at the University of Limerick. She said for her it's about getting girls to see their own interests reflected in sport rather than forcing them to pick a sport they don't like. So she's working with kids who are making uniforms for their team, and that's what inspires their interest.<br />
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For me it's always been strange that we were expected to love such a narrow range of sports in order to be considered sporty. I was really lucky in that my secondary school had access to a swimming pool so my disasters on the pitch were balanced out by racing, phew. Without that outlet I would have left school feeling like a couch potato. <br /><br />
If you walk every day or run alone by the river every day you're exercising but in the past that wasn't recognised. You had to be taking part in a certain sport and doing certain things, but if we're aiming for a healthy popuation then movement should be the first focus.<br />
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<b>I wrote about this in more detail over here if you want to know more: <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/leaving-certificate-pe-is-a-whole-new-ball-game-1.3885222" target="_blank">Leaving Certificate PE is a whole new ball game</a></b>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-69529647839430001152019-06-04T14:41:00.000+01:002019-06-05T16:24:18.281+01:00Taylor V Persoon The Aftermath <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a fight that was, I don't think anyone who saw it will ask again if women's boxing is serious. I was cheering for Katie Taylor all the way, she wobbled and she certainly didn't dominate every round but took the win in the end for the judges, and for me. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Delfine Persoon was never going to be the walk-over a lot of fans wanted her to be. <a href="https://www.realgirlsport.com/2019/05/why-delfine-persoon-thinks-she-can.html" target="_blank">I blogged here last week on her background</a>, but she was even tougher than most of us were expecting.<br />
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So for what it's worth, my take is it's always hard to judge a fight when you're not actually sitting there and watching every move without distractions. Judges operate in a different mood to the casual observer (how we wish they could always be transparent but that's a blog for another day!). <br />
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I don't know enough about boxing scoring to give my count for every round. But after more than 20 years being around fighting, I was surprised to see Taylor running out of puff towards the end. And I was surprised to see her trying to trade punches with someone who was clearly stronger than her - she said herself she was drawn into a brawl when that's just not her scene.<br />
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But, but for me Taylor's punches were cleaner and more accurate overall - a lot of Persoon's blows from the later rounds were fast and furious but not getting past the defence. (Updated to add - watch her right hook especially for this). See the<a href="https://www.sportsjoe.ie/boxing/punch-stats-katie-taylor-v-delfine-persoon-make-interesting-reading-202055" target="_blank"> Compubox stats</a> below. She just didn't take the win in the way that so many fans have grown to expect.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/jacquihurley?lang=en" target="_blank">Jacqui Hurley</a> made the point on radio earlier that Taylor previously lost a close round at Rio2016 and there was muted outrage about that then. Now she's on the other side of a decision which in this case could have gone either way.<br />
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People in fighting circles talk about taking the win, winning ugly but getting win. And in the end, that's for me what happened here. It wasn't a robbery, wasn't evidence of some conspiracy just that someone won and someone else could feel peeved because they came so close that it felt like a win.<br />
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You could also argue about the rounds where Persoon was coming forward and say that for Taylor to land and score when she was clearly exhausted is exactly what the heart of a champion demands.<br />
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I doubt there will be a rematch anytime soon. I do imagine there will be changes to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rosstraining/?hl=en" target="_blank">Ross Enamit's</a> training regime for the next fight - less expectation for the quick KO and more focus on stamina and power perhaps.<br />
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<b>Lots written about this in the Irish sports pages, some of the more thoughtful pieces: </b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/boxing/katie-taylor-is-the-undisputed-lightweight-champion-of-the-world-following-epic-victory-over-delfine-persoon-38171480.html" target="_blank">Irish Independent </a></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.the42.ie/katie-taylor-41-4665314-Jun2019/" target="_blank">The 42.ie</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.offtheball.com/sport/andy-lee-katie-taylor-persoon-866721" target="_blank">Andy Lee on Off the Ball</a></b>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-54350742106442215272019-05-20T16:42:00.000+01:002019-05-28T16:29:24.788+01:00Why Delfine Persoon thinks she can defeat Katie Taylor <br />
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On Saturday June 1st Katie Taylor bids for undisputed champion across all titles but Delfine Persoon stands in her way. The Belgian champion with a background in judo is not as well known as Katie outside of boxing circles but she’s no push-over. If you want to know more about why she thinks she can win, read on …<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/katietaylor?lang=en" target="_blank">Katie Taylor</a> already holds lightweight titles with the WBO, WBA and IBF so Delfine’s with the WBC is all that’s left with the new addition of The Ring lightweight belt. She’s 34 years of age with 43 wins from 44 fights on her record. Eighteen of those wins were by KO. Eighteen.<br />
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She said recently: “This is a very unique opportunity for me and I’m thankful we’ve got the fight made. I did not have the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games and now I get the chance to compete with the Olympic champion in Katie Taylor. I expect this will be a very tough and honest fight, and that the best boxer may win this title fight. And I expect that to be me.”<br />
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Delfine’s record is <a href="http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/496312" target="_blank">here on Box Rec</a>. And her <a href="https://www.judoinside.com/judoka/19378/Delphine_Persoon/judo-career" target="_blank">judo record here</a> , not sure if this is her full list but she won bronze medals twice at national level before moving onto boxing in 2009. She hasn’t lost a boxing fight since 2010 against fellow Belgian boxer Zelda Tekin (now inactive).<br />
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Having I’ve been watching back her WBC title defence bouts, and she’s definitely tough. A powerful left hook, with a forward moving motion, constantly pushing and not really a fan of off-the-back-foot boxing. She’s strong.<br />
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An exciting fighter to watch, so she shares that with Katie Taylor. Also similar in that her hands are loose so they could both be looking for the big KO punch here. <br />
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She’s not being shy about that aim either, <a href="http://www.irish-boxing.com/delfine-persoon-fears-katie-taylor-camp-bullying-and-calls-for-fair-judging/" target="_blank">quoted saying:</a> “We know we can be robbed. To be sure, I have to win with a knockout, but that is not easy – and if you look for that KO too much, you forget to box,” during the press conference to announce the bout. <br />
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If you look back to when <a href="http://www.irish-boxing.com/delfine-persoon-fears-katie-taylor-camp-bullying-and-calls-for-fair-judging/" target="_blank">Delfine first won the WBC title in 2014 against Erica Farias</a> she’s improved hugely. Footwork is neater and more effective, her hands are tighter but the power is the biggest difference, that left hook! She seems happy to take punishment to get in close, with a strong torso soaking up blows. <br />
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So it’s not too difficult to see where her confidence is coming from. You can argue that Taylor is a different breed but for a fighter with this record, does that mean anything? <br />
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But, but Taylor is known for not just power but speed. Her background in amateur boxing where speed and accuracy were drilled into her for years, now combined with power from training with Ross Enamait make her formidable. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7DN099XrUQ" target="_blank">Watch back her bout with Finnish legend Eva Wahlström</a> (also a former successful amateur btw) for proof if you need it. <br />
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Looking forward to Saturday, it’s probably worth noting Delfine’s last 10 bouts have been at home in Belgium. You can <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtPiqxPS9FM" target="_blank">hear the support in this Youtube video</a> during her most recent title defence against Haitian/American Melissa St Vil. Katie will have almost a home bout with the number of Irish fans in New York – so that’s an extra turn of the psychological screw for Delfine to cope with. <br />
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My money (if I was betting!) would be on Taylor for a points win but I’d be surprised if it’s an easy win or if she leaves the ring without a few more bruises and maybe another black eye. This fight won’t be easy for either boxer, which nasty as it sounds is exactly how it should be at this level.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/joshua-ruizjr?DCMP=%20AJvAR_Twitter" target="_blank">Taylor V Persoon is live on SkySports behind a pay-wall: buy here. </a></b><br />
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<i><b>I can't find any social media accounts for Delfine Persoon 🤷♀️ If you have one, leave a comment or send it to me on <a href="https://twitter.com/RealGirlSport?lang=en" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/realgirlsport/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> pls! </b></i><br />
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<br />real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-55856049801190772092019-05-13T10:57:00.000+01:002019-05-15T11:31:38.833+01:00What is happening in Irish Karate? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Karate in Ireland should be on a high as athletes try to qualify for the Olympics for the first time. Instead the organisation is mired in he-said-she-said arguments and some karateka were even told they couldn’t compete at one point. What’s going on and why is this month's EGM critical?<br />
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This is a round-up of what I’ve learned from talking to everyone involved over the last few months including the World Karate Federation (WKF), Mr Peter Coyle and Karate Ireland ONAKAI. The most vocal people on this have been the athletes, see below for social media links. <br />
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Karate in Ireland used to be under one body ONAKAI, they changed their name last year to <a href="http://www.karate-ireland.ie/" target="_blank">Karate Ireland ONAKAI.</a> The former president was voted out, nothing unusual about either development you would think. <br />
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Karate Ireland ONAKAI is recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Sport Ireland. But the on-going row centres around claims by a new organisation called <a href="http://www.onakai.org/" target="_blank">ONAKAI</a>, run by the former president Mr Peter Coyle, to be the representative body. <br />
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This new organisation has access to codes for registering athletes at international events due to Mr Coyle’s long-standing involvement in Karate. This organisation wrote to some athletes telling them they could not represent Ireland unless they sign with this new grouping, ie leave the official body.<br />
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These letters are widely available on social media, from <a href="https://twitter.com/RoryKavanagh4" target="_blank">male</a> and female athletes affected. Not to mention <a href="https://twitter.com/CaradhODonovan/status/1096828821007937536" target="_blank">some personal attacks on young female athletes like this one.</a> <br />
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I contacted the WKF and asked why they were allowing this situation to develop. <a href="https://www.wkf.net/structure-statutes-rules.php" target="_blank">WKF statutes</a> state clearly that affiliate national federations must be recognised and show “documentation of any acknowledgement by the National Olympic Committee or the Highest Sport Authority of the country.”<br />
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A spokesman in their Madrid headquarters emailed this: “Regarding your queries, we encourage you to contact the Karate representatives in Ireland for more information.” He added a link to a website run by the new organisation, and did not respond to further questions. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgo1PKO2T0yWjffs3CfyLn3mR2t71dKomEnVHEOmabAu5Gx8BxtABSdWTJEoxcE2hdFbctuQmE-XgZNDDjjt9SZI5WFsie0Af6VtKAdlyiPEB0eZHJN2u9cHXsQ8Loe0v8Cbweqkp62ck/s1600/caradh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgo1PKO2T0yWjffs3CfyLn3mR2t71dKomEnVHEOmabAu5Gx8BxtABSdWTJEoxcE2hdFbctuQmE-XgZNDDjjt9SZI5WFsie0Af6VtKAdlyiPEB0eZHJN2u9cHXsQ8Loe0v8Cbweqkp62ck/s1600/caradh.jpg" /></a></div>
So I went back to the Irish authorities. <br />
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Peter Sherrard, CEO with the Olympic Federation of Ireland said: “We have written to the World Governing Body to highlight that athletes and coaches are suffering in Ireland as a result of this dispute and have asked them to allow all athletes to participate in Olympic events while it remains unresolved.”<br />
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And as a result of this, Irish athletes including <a href="https://twitter.com/caradhodonovan?lang=en" target="_blank">Caradh O’ Donovan</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shauna_m16/?hl=en" target="_blank">Shauna Mullaney</a> were allowed to compete at the Europeans in Madrid. Allowed. <a href="https://wkf.net/news-center-new/wkf-statement-regarding-the-situation-of-irish-karate-athletes-and-the-ekf-european-championships/914/" target="_blank">Statement here from the WKF. </a><br />
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Sport Ireland have also been clear in supporting Karate Ireland ONAKAI. A spokesman said they offered to mediate before Christmas but that offer was turned down by Mr Peter Coyle. <br />
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The spokesman said: “Sport Ireland conducted an independent review into the situation based on submissions from both parties. The findings of this review have been communicated to both parties, the World Karate Federation and the wider Karate community in December 2018. Based on the findings of the independent review Sport Ireland continues to engage with Karate Ireland ONAKAI in relation to the sport in Ireland.”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyShOuh2BfbLTwVOiK7oUTj8V657uswrsNYrYsWnzcEXeKdReyR_lqKCsYzxqFwjfG1nH1R8dliuuIj6762fTo15ZtdluHndaQvLLby2TFU8W4cqZ3zgjSXGaCUhSsFxVcjfoZbRw8OwUB/s1600/ireland+karate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyShOuh2BfbLTwVOiK7oUTj8V657uswrsNYrYsWnzcEXeKdReyR_lqKCsYzxqFwjfG1nH1R8dliuuIj6762fTo15ZtdluHndaQvLLby2TFU8W4cqZ3zgjSXGaCUhSsFxVcjfoZbRw8OwUB/s1600/ireland+karate.jpg" /></a></div>
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So why are athletes still feeling unsure and insecure about their ability to represent? <br />
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I spoke to Mr Peter Coyle about this earlier this year. We corresponded on WhatsApp and then spoke on the phone. He said: “We are engaged in a process, which is a highly confidential process. I’m not at liberty to discuss the details, it’s with Just Sport Ireland. We engaged with the mediating group Just Sport Ireland, they may have changed their name. It’s still very much up in the air, it’s in the negotiating stages.” <br />
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Karate Ireland were likewise unable to say much, a spokeswoman told me only they can’t comment. However, and to their credit, they finally cracked and 'took to social media' as the cliches goes, with posts like this ▼<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzv0tb3Tm9v1AwIE621LAzdnm8aDhl5DBZDOmeI3vSUvJ2xlv5-Plinyv9c_vrElTrP4V0YadV3S5tlMQHW0ny68lMFCtNegXQh97KPtjtuMP_1ZlR3ChOTmwqqK2mbXbOviOYMLcuerG/s1600/Karate+Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzv0tb3Tm9v1AwIE621LAzdnm8aDhl5DBZDOmeI3vSUvJ2xlv5-Plinyv9c_vrElTrP4V0YadV3S5tlMQHW0ny68lMFCtNegXQh97KPtjtuMP_1ZlR3ChOTmwqqK2mbXbOviOYMLcuerG/s320/Karate+Ireland.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/StrabaneShotokanKarateClub/" target="_blank">Simon O’ Dowd, a coach from Strabane</a> told me: “It’s disgraceful what is going on, I can’t accept this for the children in our club. A karate class begins and ends with a bow of respect for each other, so these actions do not reflect what we try to instil in children.”<br />
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Simon also raised concerns around Garda Vetting for coaches with the new organisation, as vetting is usually done through the body recognised by the sports authorities. He said he wrote to the WKF and was recently blocked on Twitter by them for asking questions. Blocked by the world body for asking questions. <br />
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It’s really been left to the more outspoken athletes to push this and keep the focus on.<a href="https://twitter.com/CaradhODonovan/status/1127217600570769411" target="_blank"> Caradh O’ Donovan posted</a>, rather plaintively, this week: “Irish karate is close to a resolution thankfully...an EGM will decide the outcome. The <a href="https://twitter.com/onakai_karate" target="_blank">@onakai_karate</a> board have been the only group, in my opinion, to put the needs of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/athletesfirst?src=hash" target="_blank">#athletesfirst </a>in this dispute & have my full support <img alt="🇮🇪" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Ireland" class="Emoji Emoji--forText" draggable="false" src="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f1ee-1f1ea.png" title="Flag of Ireland" /><img alt="🥋" aria-label="Emoji: Martial arts uniform" class="Emoji Emoji--forText" draggable="false" src="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f94b.png" title="Martial arts uniform" /><img alt="🤞🏼" aria-label="Emoji: Hand with index and middle fingers crossed (medium light skin tone)" class="Emoji Emoji--forText" draggable="false" src="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f91e-1f3fc.png" title="Hand with index and middle fingers crossed (medium light skin tone)" /> ” <br />
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So all eyes on the EGM on May 26th. The clock is ticking on the qualification events, and the only thing coaches and athletes should be thinking about now is Tokyo. <br />
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Will the administrators put the athletes first or continue to squabble?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Follow Irish Karateka on social media: </b></span><br />
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<b> <a href="https://twitter.com/caradhodonovan?lang=en" target="_blank">Caradh O' Donovan </a><br /> </b><br />
<b> <a href="https://twitter.com/kerinmairi?lang=en" target="_blank"> Mairi Kerin </a></b><br />
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<b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shauna_m16/?hl=en" target="_blank">Shauna Mullaney </a></b><br />
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And if you want to read more,<a href="https://www.the42.ie/onakai/news/" target="_blank"> see The 42.ie for rolling coverage since October. </a>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-58448911187468019712019-05-06T11:09:00.000+01:002019-05-15T11:11:24.593+01:00Sports Brands should support female workers, not just athletes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWAg6V8bcJXYs0YB7eUY7uYQu3OYroB_pZ0ds33ggycHB5apZOlWUuLy1bPQVO14rJS7hwY-Ge_GWOqBJ7eUS91QTcjHaMQdpYqelbG48I4KjpqqzHzB9FLvRNc5wqXRsLGO8PRCGUjBc/s1600/Poster+Worker+Information+Centre%252C+Phnom+Penh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWAg6V8bcJXYs0YB7eUY7uYQu3OYroB_pZ0ds33ggycHB5apZOlWUuLy1bPQVO14rJS7hwY-Ge_GWOqBJ7eUS91QTcjHaMQdpYqelbG48I4KjpqqzHzB9FLvRNc5wqXRsLGO8PRCGUjBc/s1600/Poster+Worker+Information+Centre%252C+Phnom+Penh.JPG" /></a></div>
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If sports brands are serious about supporting women, they should start with the women in their factories. That was the opening line in a newspaper piece I wrote recently, and if you believe that supporting women in sport should be about more than athletes, read on.<br />
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The flow of inspirational videos and slogans from sports companies is really ramping up lately, and it sticks in my craw. They tell us to dream to be equal and to dare to achieve but union workers in countries like Cambodia are still fighting for a local living wage.<br />
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An estimated 85% of garment factory workers are women so everything they say on those social media channels should resonate with their staff. But of course in the real world, it's not like that at all.<br />
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For example, as I wrote: "A Cambodian activist with the Workers’ Information Centre, supported by Irish NGO ActionAid, told me workers hide pregnancies because they’re let go when it shows. A United Nations report in 2015 found the abortion rate among garment workers in Cambodia is more than three times higher than in the general female population.<br />
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So you have women stitching progressive maternity sportswear who are afraid to become pregnant themselves."<br />
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As women who do sport, we have the power to change this. We don't have to go on picket-lines, and we don't have to stop buying clothes but we should be heard. <br />
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<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/brands-seeking-to-inspire-women-should-start-with-their-workers-1.3863619" target="_blank">Link to the full story is here. </a><br />
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(Poster above is a photo I took at a union building near Phnom Penh , hosted by the Workers’ Information Centre, introductions made by <a href="https://actionaid.ie/" target="_blank">ActionAid in Dublin</a>) real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-73980538818636084132019-04-29T11:35:00.000+01:002019-05-15T11:02:16.115+01:00Inclusive Karate in Dublin giving everyone a chance to shine <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRuxgmLhW1_whoz9mS1e7djfirdm-7VVbfg4lenVIEQzVio7Z2CkuPheWRNRaYF-SV5evsZVA6R2TBaH4GwqzvrDYkCMj5lqod0WTKBnn-4AHKxA5P0lA22mJl5E2_oqRel0xqeF6Xlbw/s1600/1690699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRuxgmLhW1_whoz9mS1e7djfirdm-7VVbfg4lenVIEQzVio7Z2CkuPheWRNRaYF-SV5evsZVA6R2TBaH4GwqzvrDYkCMj5lqod0WTKBnn-4AHKxA5P0lA22mJl5E2_oqRel0xqeF6Xlbw/s1600/1690699.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karate-ireland.ie/inclusive%20karate.html" target="_blank">Photos credit I-Karate taken by Sportfile </a></td></tr>
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The Inclusive Karate World Cup took place in Dublin, with teams from 13 countries including 47 Irish athletes taking to the mats. The hairs were rising on the back of my neck watching the parade come in, led by a piper of course.<br />
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Sisters Emma and Kate Connolly have been training Karate for about two and a half years. Both with only positive experiences, they have very different views on the competition side of the day.<br />
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Kate said: 'I love this, I love seeing the atmosphere and making friends here. Winning isn't important for me, I love coming here. I don't get nervous.' Emma interrupted her to say: 'I do get a little nervous, sometimes I get nervous but when I'm working on something I don't want to stop. '<br />
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The two athletes who are living with a mild Intellectual Disability go to Scoil Ciaran in Glasnevin, and train regularly to keep their place on the Irish squad.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn8t_SP6bkB9pRQSdeYBxmVHZOyTfpe51cG2YYCYzJEaQnDv2npxWVEbq3STrysXmsBcjg1eJ3wuDtjJX20uRFOBhbxQpTAP2PCnu9h7IjMSueQ49LBsxsMrxfXLN6iLk4vszJ9GB-E2k/s1600/1691204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn8t_SP6bkB9pRQSdeYBxmVHZOyTfpe51cG2YYCYzJEaQnDv2npxWVEbq3STrysXmsBcjg1eJ3wuDtjJX20uRFOBhbxQpTAP2PCnu9h7IjMSueQ49LBsxsMrxfXLN6iLk4vszJ9GB-E2k/s1600/1691204.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karate-ireland.ie/inclusive%20karate.html" target="_blank">Photos credit I-Karate taken by Sportsfile</a></td></tr>
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Organiser Anne Caulfield says the Inclusive Karate movement is growing in Ireland. One of her son's Eoghan competed at the weekend also, but she's in it now for much more than family reasons.<br />
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She said: "It is growing here, you need a specific kind of coach. They have to be able to interact with the athletes, Some of the younger children would feel anxiety going into a mainstream session, it's off-putting for them. But in the Inclusive Karate, no-one notices if a child is just walking around and taking things in. Some of the kids learn in a different way."<br />
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Eoghan says he started off having difficulties in the class, but seven years on he's not only competing but also coaching juniors.<br />
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The young athlete, who has Autism, said: "I did pretty well today, I didn't place but I've been improving steadily. That was the best Kata I have ever done. Karate has turned me into a different person - when I was a kid I would not use my voice, would not raise my voice. I really like that you travel so much, and you meet other people doing Karate. That's what I find so interesting.'<br />
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<a href="http://www.karate-ireland.ie/inclusive%20karate.html" target="_blank">Read more about I-Karate on the Karate Ireland website. </a>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-60509161529260773962019-04-15T10:06:00.000+01:002019-04-19T10:06:54.259+01:00Irish Powerlifter Dee Fenlon prepares for the World Championships <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'd heard that kayaker Dee Fenlon was getting into powerlifting but only realised how serious this leap was when I saw her lift 211kg at the Irish championships. So of course, I had to track her down for a chat before she heads to the Worlds in June. </div>
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Lots of women in sport lift weights as a an add-on to their training, Dee’s life has taken a different turn. <br /><br />For years her sports were running and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BGHOkfSQ4Hb/" target="_blank">top-level kayking</a>, she says: “I’d put on a lot of weight so I started running. I dropped 5
stone (31kg) and ran the Cork Half Marathon. I was going to a personal
trainer and they said you’re very strong, you should try powerlifting.”<br /><br />That might have been that, but a
few years later while working in Wales she spotted weights in the gym
and something clicked. <br /><br />Laughing, she says: ‘I looked at the
bar and said to the trainer ‘Teach me how to do that’. It was a small
place, a shed really up in the hills so no-one was watching me there. I
suppose, I was so focused then on losing body weight that I needed
something else to think about.” <br /><br />Her first competition was not a
glamorous experience; making weight for the first time, driving there
alone. But the tournament organiser noticed this newbie and took the
time to say Well Done, hope we see you again. <br /><br />She says: “He said I should keep going, and that gave me the push I needed. I just decided then that I’d keep it up.” <br /><br />The
learning curve moving from casual lifting to powerlifting was steep.
She talks about where she places her left and right feet, getting the
depth into her squats, the Pause and how to use the bench. She talks
about how each lift varies and require different muscles, a new thought
process. <br /><br />Just before we spoke, she’d spent a week doing the Max 5
– pushing into lifts over four days to see how far she could go. A
powerlifting contest includes three tries at each of the squat, bench
press, and deadlift. </div>
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<br />I ask her about <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BtwhMMioQbQ/" target="_blank">the Irish nationals, that 211kg lift.</a> She pauses, and I hear the smile in her voice as she says: “That deadlift was a long time coming. It’s been two years since I hit a new PB. But now I’m pushing on again, lifting more in training. That video is funny, usually I tend to just walk away after the lift. They’re always saying in the gym you should celebrate so they were delighted when I cheered myself.” <br /><br />Now living in Limerick, she still trains with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luke_rogers_74/" target="_blank">British powerlifting coach Luke Rogers</a> but it’s all online. She videos her training and he sends feedback. And there’s also <a href="http://www.citygymlk.com/" target="_blank">City Gym in Limerick</a> so between the two there’s no escape. <br /><br />“It’s been four years now, a big change from the kayaking yeah. It’s a new career I suppose, more than a new hobby. I’m still teaching, I’m subbing for now so it’s a bit chaotic, but I manage,” she says. Tupperware boxes are her friend with oats, peanut butter and fruit packed every day. <br /><br />And in those four years, the number of women around her has dramatically changed. She says from being one of the few women around and guaranteed a place, she’s now working for every result. <br />But that seems to suit her, as she prepares for the World Championships in Sweden under the <a href="https://www.powerlifting.sport/" target="_blank">International Powerlifting Federation</a>. <br /><br />“It’s a big competition, I was delighted to be selected on the Irish team. All the best lifters in the world will be there, it’s exciting. And I’m lucky it’s not far away, this is all self-funded, we pay for everything. It’s my first proper international, “she says. <br /><br />Dee says the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi_kaXbhY2o/" target="_blank">Irish scene is good preparation for international competition with lights and music blaring all day</a>, you know you’re at a tournament. <br /><br />She says: “We should have a decent tournament; I’m hoping to go above my national record. That’s if all goes to plan, we’ll see.” <br /><br /><b>Follow<a href="https://www.instagram.com/deefenlon/?hl=en" target="_blank"> Dee Fenlon on to the road to the IPF Worlds on Instagram: @deefenlon </a><br />I know Dee through my sister <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aisgrif/" target="_blank">Aisling Griffin who represents Ireland in surf and freestyle kayaking, she’s on Instagram @aisgrif </a></b></div>
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<b>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.irishpowerliftingfederation.com/" target="_blank">Irish Powerlifting Federation </a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(All media <a href="https://www.instagram.com/deefenlon/" target="_blank">@deefenlon )</a></b></span><br />real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-83665999335109735072019-04-01T08:44:00.000+01:002019-04-03T08:44:54.832+01:00What boxer Katelynn Phelan did next<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />After the London Olympics people said women's boxing was having a moment but in Ireland that moment is really only going public in the last year. It's been building in gyms around the country and now you can see women fighting on many of the big shows. The latest to put her name out there is Katelynn Phelan from Kildare. <br />
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Just 18 years of age, Katelynn had her second pro fight at the weekend. This follows a great amateur career including bronze at the 2017 World Youth championships and bronze at the 2015 Europeans. Fighting at anything from 63kg to 69kg in the last few years, she was at 63 on Saturday.<br />
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It's unusual in Ireland to see such a young fighter going for pro, the amateur boxing team is one of the most consistent for the green-white-and-gold at international and even Olympic level. But now that promoters have seen the Katie Effect, this pathway should be opening up for more boxers. If they choose to take it. Winning an Olympic medal of any colour is a huge addition to your CV so it will be interesting to see how many others do follow Katelynn.<br />
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Listening to her speak before the fight, it's clear her eye has always been on the pro ring. She told TG4 : "Going pro as a female boxer is unbelievable, I've been looking up the likes of Heather the Heat Hardy in America and the likes of Katie Taylor and that. And seeing where they're getting in the ranks. I've always wanted it."<br />
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She's signed with Assassin Boxing and appearing on one of the biggest shows this year. So not a bad start, looking forward to see what Katelynn does next. <br />
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<b>Follow Katelynn on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kates_phelan/" target="_blank">@kates_phelan</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7s-VnEbioI" target="_blank">Watch a short interview with Katelynn on TG4 Sport here.</a></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/assassinboxing/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Pic Assassin Boxing on FB ) </span> </b></a>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-56499707587848231662019-03-25T15:20:00.000+00:002019-03-27T15:28:41.718+00:00Ice-swimming is simply addictive says Tiffiny Quinn <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ice-swimmers are different. First they need chain-saws to hack swimming lanes out of solid ice, and then they get in there wearing ordinary swimsuits. The Irish swimmers train in welcoming waters like the lakes in Glendalough or Wild Water in Antrim. Tiffiny Quinn was at the World Championships in the Arctic Circle in March; she filled me in on why she loves cake and hot chocolate so much.<br />
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Tiffiny swam in the 450m and 500m races which is pretty much 950m more than most people would even think about in a Siberian winter. She won silver in the 500m and told me later she regrets not doing the 1,000m. Like I said, they're different. <br />
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Other successful Irish swimmers included Ciara Doran who did take on the 1km winning silver overall and also gold overall in the 200m freestyle. Swimmers race in age-categories so you're up against your peers and then judged on an overall result as well. <br />
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When I spoke to Tiffiny before the Worlds (see link below for full interview) I had to keep asking her to repeat what she'd said, especially when it came to numbers. So they swim in water which must be colder than 5 degrees, they can wear a regular swimsuit and one swimming hat, zero neoprene or other warming materials.<br />
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Speaking about the first time she swam in Siberia, she said: "It was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done. When you come out of the swim, your whole body is red and if you’ve been in too long, there’s patches of black where the blood is starting to pool. You’re not at the frostbite stage. They take you to a tent and wrap you in warm towels. Your hands and feet get put into cold water which is absolute torture."<br />
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Indeed. The training for this includes swimming in the Clontarf baths as Tiffiny is based near Dublin. The manager phones her and the other members of the Forty Foot Walrus Winter Swimmers when the water is cold enough. He can probably guess by the fact that no-one else is swimming there at the time.<br />
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She explained that ice-swimming is also different in its focus on cake, quite the contrast to most other sports which have a huge and growing focus on fitness, slimness and strict diets.<br />
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Tiffiny said: "“Cake is important, it’s part of our training regime. You need to have body fat to keep warm in there; the sport attracts rounder people, and people tend to put on weight when they’re training. It’s one of the few sports where that happens – ice-swimming and sumo I suppose. It’s basic physics; you need fat to keep your organs warm.”<br />
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So I guess the next time I'm thinking it's too cold for a summer dip, I might just have to go for it. Take a deep breath and get in as Tiffany says in spite of all the scary information the benefits of that "yay, I didn't die" moment last all day.<br />
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<i><b>READ MORE: </b></i><br />
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<b> <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/ice-swimming-the-perfect-ctrl-alt-delete-reboot-1.3798025" target="_blank">Ice-Swimming The perfect Ctl-Alt-Dlt re-boot for The Irish Times</a></b><br />
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<b>Or if you'd like to give Ice-Swimming a go, contact the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cuintheice/" target="_blank">International Ice Swimming Association Ireland on Facebook. </a></b><br />
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<b>I saw <a href="https://www.realgirlsport.com/2018/03/ice-swimming-in-neva-river-russia-with.html" target="_blank">Ice-Swimming for the first time last year in St Petersburg RU - blogged that shock here. </a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(All pics thanks to Tiffiny Quinn IISAI) </b></span>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-41099299097286764582019-03-04T14:43:00.000+00:002019-03-14T14:44:05.531+00:00Irish Olympians out to inspire the next generation <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The big theme in Irish sport at the moment is putting role-models in front of young girls so they get involved in sport. It's a simple idea that could actually work as the latest campaign is reaching out past team games to bring sports like boxing and rowing to the fore. </div>
<a name='more'></a> A group called "Dare to Believe" led by Olympian Roisin McGettigan is planning to bring female sports stars into schools. She's living in the US now, but her heart as they say is clearly still in Ireland; when we spoke at the launch she just laughed and said this was always her dream to run the programme here.<br />
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And of course she's a bigger name here than in the US and the support they're getting from the Olympic Federation of Ireland is crucial. </div>
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She said: "Rewards from sport should be more intrinsic, not just about medals. This is a huge opportunity to see the greater values, the values other than striving for excellence." </div>
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Roisin said they've been working with schools to get the programme right, so it's crossing with 39 teaching methodologies. That practical emphasis will be really big. I used to be a teacher and I remember listening with horror sometimes to speakers who just were not connecting with the kids at all. This project seems to be giving a lot more support to the athletes than they would usually get, so they'll actually be ready for a room full of bored teenagers. </div>
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"We're working with athletes from all over, and from the smaller sports. They will be paid, it's not just that; they will enjoy being with the kids. You need that chance to get out of your head, athletes eat, sleep, train so it's good to do something else," she said. </div>
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It's something different for Ireland, and should be more effective than the traditional visit where a team shows up with a trophy and then leaves. There are male athletes involved too, just happened to be only women at the launch I guess. And will it work? It has great potential I think - leaving cynicism aside - and if only a small number of students find out about a new sport than it's working. </div>
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Find out more: <a href="https://www.daretobelieve.ie/" target="_blank">Dare To Believe IE</a> <br />
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(All photos: <a href="http://www.olympics.ie/news/17794-the-olympic-federation-of-ireland-launches-dare-to-believe-programme.html" target="_blank">Olympic Federation of Ireland</a>) <br />
<br />real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-15001200336704133872019-02-25T10:01:00.000+00:002019-02-25T10:10:17.515+00:00Why Stamp Fairtex's latest Muaythai title is important <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jG1CWMe7ZcytR6oaOBvojR0Yggk65f95U3AinDi8biI44l-IQbvlFXTHH-jYNzES2_e0qCpjELE3fHOjb-h4669BqkKkDKTLc9Vu7fRBmLcj8fEUkZTYupQqDLZ-t-k5mcNpfqmV2nrO/s1600/stamp+fairtex+janet+todd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jG1CWMe7ZcytR6oaOBvojR0Yggk65f95U3AinDi8biI44l-IQbvlFXTHH-jYNzES2_e0qCpjELE3fHOjb-h4669BqkKkDKTLc9Vu7fRBmLcj8fEUkZTYupQqDLZ-t-k5mcNpfqmV2nrO/s1600/stamp+fairtex+janet+todd.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.onefc.com/articles/whats-next-for-the-big-winners-of-one-call-to-greatness/" target="_blank">PIC One Championship</a></td></tr>
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Stamp Fairtex and Janet Todd put on a show at the weekend in One Championship, not just a great fight but centre-stage on the main card. When Fairtex gear and the people behind American muaythai started promoting women about 20 years ago, it wasn't a sure thing but they're certainly reaping the benefits now. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Stamp won with a strong display of punching and great ring-work, taking the Atomweight Muaythai title. If you didn't catch the bout, then see the <a href="https://twitter.com/ONEChampionship/status/1099609881974312961" target="_blank">One Championship social media </a>for video highlights.<br />
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But what was special about this fight? Janet is representing America, a country not known for producing a high number of women fighters on the Muaythai scene but that is changing fast. You could point back to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/miriamnakamoto/?hl=en" target="_blank">Miriam Nakamoto</a> but the new fighters coming up are coming in numbers and that is the difference.<br />
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I saw Janet fight quite a few times as she's on the USMF amateur team. She's fast and very technical, a strength perhaps linked to her career as an aeronautical engineer. She fought at The World Games in 2017 when her father was seriously ill in hospital, never said a word outside of her camp, just got on with the job. Claimed a bronze medal. In interviews post-fight she never used his illness to say ah I could have done better, just quietly took the medal - America's first muaythai medal at TWG - and moved on to her next goal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFB1M6-bNJo0t-APjMAeExsCuCMf1JKS9fXlpFE5jsq5GBPsphxlXN6H029KYsFi5Dnfmz83tIVh4jDqATy3LXLjGP7HZNQWOaxEy60kDWVLLFdn6ky1cpRCSJ0t_YVAnVpdFI6dAC4l4/s1600/Stamp-Janet-Todd-TE1_7309-1200x800+oNE+cHAMPIONHIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFB1M6-bNJo0t-APjMAeExsCuCMf1JKS9fXlpFE5jsq5GBPsphxlXN6H029KYsFi5Dnfmz83tIVh4jDqATy3LXLjGP7HZNQWOaxEy60kDWVLLFdn6ky1cpRCSJ0t_YVAnVpdFI6dAC4l4/s1600/Stamp-Janet-Todd-TE1_7309-1200x800+oNE+cHAMPIONHIP.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.onefc.com/articles/how-to-watch-one-call-to-greatness-stamp-fairtex-vs-janet-todd/" target="_blank">Weigh-in Stamp and Janet via One Championhip</a></td></tr>
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Stamp carries a bigger reputation with her, but as you can see from her reaction to winning, she's fighting for every result. She's won the Kickboxing title with this promotion already and apparently has eyes on MMA next. Still at university, her social media flips between a professional training and sweet hello-kitty-style photos. It's one of the biggest gains for women's fighting in recent years, that women can hold onto being girls and still claim a place in the ring.<br />
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One Championship do a great job promoting their athletes too, <a href="https://www.onefc.com/videos/stamp-fairtex-has-competed-since-the-age-of-5/" target="_blank">you can watch a video on Stamp's early life here on their website. </a><br />
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As a by the by, you'll notice from the photo on top that even though this was a Muaythai bout, their gloves are not. A bit confusing as original press for this promotion seemed to divide MMA and the Muaythai or Kickboxing bouts more clearly. See here from <a href="https://www.boonsport.com/blogs/news/boon-strikes-deal-as-official-boxing-glove-supplier-for-one-super-series" target="_blank">Boon equipment</a> for example. <br />
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Also if you're interested in how and why <a href="https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2018/10/17/17976862/one-championship-look-finances-mma-one-fc-losses" target="_blank">One Championship are signing and putting on big names, this deep-dive from Bloody Elbow is very interesting on their finances. </a><br />
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<b>Follow<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stamp_fairtex/?hl=en" target="_blank"> Stamp Fairtex on Instagram @stamp_fairtex</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jmcoakle/?hl=en" target="_blank">Follow Janet Todd on Instagram @jm_coakle </a></b>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-51082394929302715202019-02-18T10:39:00.000+00:002019-02-25T09:29:55.405+00:00Capturing the legends of Muaythai <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Muaythai is an ancient sport, with many of its best fighters doomed to be forgotten thanks to the lack of archival material. But American fighter Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu is working to re-set that balance with a great online project. <br />
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Sylive has lived in Thailand <a href="https://www.realgirlsport.com/2012/12/from-new-york-to-chiang-mai-thanks-to.html" target="_blank">since 2012</a>, fighting more often there than any non-Thai fighter which is no mean feat on its own. She is heading rapidly towards 200 fights, with an almost real-time chronicle of her time there on her website and social media.<br />
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One of the biggest challenges for any Muaythai fighter wanting to <a href="http://fightland.vice.com/blog/the-expensive-road-to-thailand-crowdfunding-in-muay-thai" target="_blank">train in Thailand is the cost of living and fighting full-time.</a> Sure you get money for fights but this can be as low as 500THB ( 14 euro) with pay-outs needed for trainers and maybe transport. So people look for other ways to fund themselves whether through savings or working as teachers or whatever rocks their boat.<br />
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Sylvie started recording her journey for non-financial reasons, but her website (see below) has grown into a small but effective sidelines. One of those sidelines on the <a href="https://www.patreon.com/sylviemuay" target="_blank">Patreon platform</a> is her Legends project.<br />
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She and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kevinvonduuglasittu/?hl=en" target="_blank">her husband Kevin </a>who took the photo above travel around Thailand, training with the fighters who changed Muaythai over the years. Obviously very few of these guys have an online presence, but their skills have been captured in old tapes and memories. Sylvie trains with them focusing on their particular skill-set and her supporters benefit.<br />
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And so do they, their reputations cemented and they gain financially. It's a huge thing to have in a sport which lived on word of mouth for so long. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsLSSXqggl3B8F79SftkkreS48lBPsLRaYlAvhHjg_hyEBGBlzDayH4xqsxwn68ny3ndP7kUq50Q4hcbIBG7gxDlqRec5ffgIrCz3z07mJdoVOBqRCY2OSzd6vOCy233jNEj2toMg9oEx/s1600/Patreon-Since-I-came-to-Thailand-updated-e1536217671907+Sylvie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsLSSXqggl3B8F79SftkkreS48lBPsLRaYlAvhHjg_hyEBGBlzDayH4xqsxwn68ny3ndP7kUq50Q4hcbIBG7gxDlqRec5ffgIrCz3z07mJdoVOBqRCY2OSzd6vOCy233jNEj2toMg9oEx/s1600/Patreon-Since-I-came-to-Thailand-updated-e1536217671907+Sylvie.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu so far ... via <a href="https://www.patreon.com/sylviemuay" target="_blank">Patreon</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Unlike most non-Thai fighters who go to Thailand to train for fights at home, Sylvie moved lock, stock and barrel to Thailand. Her website takes you into the culture and shadows of a sport few of people take the time to fully understand. Well worth poking around in for a few hours or more. <br />
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sylviemuaythai/" target="_blank"><br /></a></b>
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sylviemuaythai/" target="_blank">Follow Sylvie on Facebook @sylviemuay </a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://8limbs.us/" target="_blank">Sylvie's website is 8limbs.us </a> and you can link to all her online projects from there. </b><br />
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<a href="https://www.realgirlsport.com/2012/12/from-new-york-to-chiang-mai-thanks-to.html" target="_blank"><b>My interview with Sylvie back in 2012 for this blog. </b></a>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-42266241542445265292019-02-11T15:40:00.000+00:002019-02-18T15:46:05.440+00:00Masters Swimming shows you're really never too old for fun <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzZy6JJN9j-KYGND7j6Bp6xerbhv_BS5InmoYtKVgto3j1OxbS0Ba2vZVWnWjOwRD-IBnsOIH_QeuU9k4r5X08LgyiXE3-M85LNXxWYHajPfVVI9cV2mHjMb3HkfHebW5_B61jHjrjGLj/s1600/Charlotte+Reid+swimmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzZy6JJN9j-KYGND7j6Bp6xerbhv_BS5InmoYtKVgto3j1OxbS0Ba2vZVWnWjOwRD-IBnsOIH_QeuU9k4r5X08LgyiXE3-M85LNXxWYHajPfVVI9cV2mHjMb3HkfHebW5_B61jHjrjGLj/s1600/Charlotte+Reid+swimmer.jpg" /></a></div>
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Have you ever wondered what happens to swimmers who race at the highest levels in their 20s, and then disappear? Turns out quite a lot of them keep on swimming, racing in the Masters series around the world. Dubliner Charlotte Reid joined their ranks, and reckons she's swimming faster now than in her youth. <br />
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Charlotte says she's seen women in their 90s swimming, getting up on the blocks and racing. It's an inspiring thought for those days when you think you've lost energy or whatever as time passes by. It's worth noting too that every milestone we hit - turning 20, 35, 40 - always seems to be the worst but we survive.<br />
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I always swam but not at a particularly high level when I was younger, I kept at it,” says Reid. “I’m still getting faster now which is quite unusual. You see women of 90 or 95 swimming up and down, it’s just phenomenal to see, they’re on the block and putting in decent times. They’re very competitive," she says.<br />
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She also points out that just because you're not racing for the Olympics, you are still representing your country. People take it very seriously, with many upping the training each time they enter a high age-category. A 50 year old entering the 50 to 55 category has a higher chance of a medal than the person at the other end of the range, so it's never too late.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODe-Jg45QyquN6qzAkmTqE3J8dMl8OSRZrQhTkMU9QHk7cZGGOzRVNx-y9bvRBkd1PJ5L-1J1rh26qANGhPPbocCKi55sLdmYV0_tIiSuS96qw6HhrCqACenkOLJWIVrjOgNhYcpS5zEK/s1600/Yeats+Liffey+Swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODe-Jg45QyquN6qzAkmTqE3J8dMl8OSRZrQhTkMU9QHk7cZGGOzRVNx-y9bvRBkd1PJ5L-1J1rh26qANGhPPbocCKi55sLdmYV0_tIiSuS96qw6HhrCqACenkOLJWIVrjOgNhYcpS5zEK/s1600/Yeats+Liffey+Swim.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack B Yeats view of The Liffey Swim in 1923 </td></tr>
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Charlotte also does the Liffey Swim, the race is heading for it's 100th edition this year so it's a good time to join in.<br />
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She jokes (I think) about the pollution saying: "If you have something alcoholic at the end of it to warm up, you’ll be fine. You’re tasting salt water from the fourth or fifth bridge, it’s fine. That’s the main race at the end of the year that everyone wants to race in and do well in. You hear of people who’ve done 20 or even 40 of them." <br />
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Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/charlottemreid" target="_blank">Charlotte Reid on Twitter @charlottemreid</a><br />
<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/older-faster-stronger-how-to-improve-in-the-pool-with-age-1.3760257" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/older-faster-stronger-how-to-improve-in-the-pool-with-age-1.3760257" target="_blank">This interview first appeared in The Irish Times </a><br />
real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-6903177705831200332019-02-04T15:27:00.000+00:002019-02-18T15:59:27.140+00:00Giorgia Lyons on the ski-slopes for Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3g6nPmsmD7scsa53u_n4-IVo_yn2uWIadfe0LCRLg_wQlF5CK1Ppzo8DtfBsovPfr-JZbUJ3f8iJqbJrtIOtXe4eZDlRPDFK2vvCeuV6hUDDdbOinVY1Gq27rS-4zY0qKUqRqei0ANfm/s1600/Giorgia+Lyons+2nd+from+left+ski+ireland+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3g6nPmsmD7scsa53u_n4-IVo_yn2uWIadfe0LCRLg_wQlF5CK1Ppzo8DtfBsovPfr-JZbUJ3f8iJqbJrtIOtXe4eZDlRPDFK2vvCeuV6hUDDdbOinVY1Gq27rS-4zY0qKUqRqei0ANfm/s1600/Giorgia+Lyons+2nd+from+left+ski+ireland+2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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When I was growing up skiing was something exotic and far-away, so it still makes me smile when I see the Irish flag flying at snow sports events. I talked to Giorgia Lyons one of this new generation as she kicks off the 2019 season. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Giorgia (above 2nd from left) has been skiing since she was a little girl, starting at just three years of age. Along with older sister Gloria she's been representing Ireland for the last few seasons in Slalom and Giant Slalom.<br />
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Born in Italy and raised in Austria, she says: "“In Austria they say if you’re not winning and doing well by 12, you should just give up. I enjoy the skiing more in Ireland, they’re all really nice and they love skiing. You have to be good enough but they love doing it too. In Austria, it’s usually more serious, it’s not always about enjoying it. I like carrying the Irish flag, it’s nice.”<br />
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She's just finished competing in the international Trofeu Borrufa 2019, held in Andorra. She finished 31st overall in a tough field, so a good showing with lots to look forward to over the next few years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK5xlpnl4vosHFNbShl4wPJ04ZXL-h6x46YYFzK4ZUZB3cod1mETSq9lzUK_BzebQ_6oQv5qfzHPheAcMJLz2DA0CIdyl4IxeBgE93wwSQ7vZZd9mr2WNzEugJ-brQfIW2kDmgao3ucxU/s1600/Lyons+sisters+skiing+Alpine+Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK5xlpnl4vosHFNbShl4wPJ04ZXL-h6x46YYFzK4ZUZB3cod1mETSq9lzUK_BzebQ_6oQv5qfzHPheAcMJLz2DA0CIdyl4IxeBgE93wwSQ7vZZd9mr2WNzEugJ-brQfIW2kDmgao3ucxU/s1600/Lyons+sisters+skiing+Alpine+Ireland.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giorgia w sister Gloria representing Ireland last year </td></tr>
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In the meantime she's balancing school with a large number of supporting activities. Adult skiers can get up to 135km/hr doing these races, so even the tinest mistake can be a disaster. That means lots of core stability exercices, hiking, biking, running, swimming and gym-work.<br />
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It's always so impressive to see young athletes taking sport to this level, especially in sports which are not as high-profile as GAA or soccer for example.<br />
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Giorgia says: "We will have to see, I’m trying and maybe I will make it, or maybe not – I don’t know."<br />
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Follow G<a href="https://twitter.com/irishskiers" target="_blank">iorgia Lyons on Twitter @irishskiers</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/meet-the-sisters-hitting-the-slopes-with-olympic-dreams-for-ireland-1.3752624" target="_blank">Read the full interview on The Irish Times here. </a><br />
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<i>All photos on this page via Giorgia's Twitter. </i><br />
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<br />real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-48685164212437593962019-01-21T21:30:00.000+00:002019-01-25T17:16:23.568+00:00Boxer Kellie Harrington on the move! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDZ_7kZMlCZvQ2rAvh8kx5xPBc3tZYdmcjEd1A1fnt5e00HvEZsiKN1_RA9JDkfXJTEpZScD3QQDjhx6ZM0oJqB3fiiqhP3SpdDC6h1nEhSDQ6xIDP7jUzmxZwvSlXpr9uD9sQ4y7Mo1_/s1600/45115319215_4a923e832e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kelly Harrington wins Gold AIBA 2018" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDZ_7kZMlCZvQ2rAvh8kx5xPBc3tZYdmcjEd1A1fnt5e00HvEZsiKN1_RA9JDkfXJTEpZScD3QQDjhx6ZM0oJqB3fiiqhP3SpdDC6h1nEhSDQ6xIDP7jUzmxZwvSlXpr9uD9sQ4y7Mo1_/s1600/45115319215_4a923e832e_z.jpg" title="Kelly Harrington wins Gold AIBA 2018" /></a></td></tr>
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Kellie Harrington is a name long familiar to fans of Irish women's boxing, but in the last 12 months she has stepped right out into the mainstream. The World Champion has just added European Boxer of the Year to her bling collection. <br />
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I could write a post about her success in the boxing ring. But this post is more inspired by a moving speech she gave when accepting yet another award: the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/kellie-harrington-named-irish-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-1.3739561" target="_blank">Irish Times/ Sport Ireland Sports Woman of the Year.</a> It's an insight into what drives a woman with a rewarding job in a psychiatric hospital to keep training and competing, keep her ambition burning until the time was right for that 60kg slot to open up on the Irish team.<br />
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In a beautiful speech she talked about how coming from an area in Dublin with a reputation for crime and problems has inspired her. She talked of how you only ever hear bad things about Dublin's Inner city, and she wants to change that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk9OT3wdqPThq1wY34B79lTg9Z97doiQCEdXAWQ2DGJ7_U2iRR7DwMTXU-94apayfusZmjR-lU2vloDvMBsXBpyrwj1q8CDZi1lQ3XUznfTqds45Uq8DEZ6NTMUeR5dD6YK0wRrZCes36/s1600/46026686131_52baeb6f62_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kelly Harrington wins Gold AIBA 2018" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjk9OT3wdqPThq1wY34B79lTg9Z97doiQCEdXAWQ2DGJ7_U2iRR7DwMTXU-94apayfusZmjR-lU2vloDvMBsXBpyrwj1q8CDZi1lQ3XUznfTqds45Uq8DEZ6NTMUeR5dD6YK0wRrZCes36/s1600/46026686131_52baeb6f62_z.jpg" title="Kelly Harrington wins Gold AIBA 2018" /></a></div>
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Kellie said: "It's not doom and gloom where I'm from." She described how some of the young kids run with her when she jogs the streets, and you can imagine what an inspiration she must be to them. The <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/homecoming-cheers-for-dublin-inner-city-boxing-hero-harrington-1.3711362" target="_blank">huge turnout for her homecoming</a> in Dublin after winning the gold medal with AIBA in November was testament to her influence. <br />
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" You know you're influencing other people's kids. The amount of girls and kids with IABA since the homecoming and to know that I'm part of that is fantastic. When you win the kids see that, it's fantastic," she said. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwP6pFlI_H94iDYjX47J-yoaRH3BsgfvdBudMdzsLEZLDT_LA_FubVxc1-RQ7JwuXOTPUWWbo0kejHqoMtr7Hr3708rh1mWp7oQ7aN9MoOmFUJY_TJ3FB_innaiFpghXQGmALspfMcI8s/s1600/46026686971_7ca6c1f345_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kelly Harrington wins Gold AIBA 2018" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwP6pFlI_H94iDYjX47J-yoaRH3BsgfvdBudMdzsLEZLDT_LA_FubVxc1-RQ7JwuXOTPUWWbo0kejHqoMtr7Hr3708rh1mWp7oQ7aN9MoOmFUJY_TJ3FB_innaiFpghXQGmALspfMcI8s/s1600/46026686971_7ca6c1f345_z.jpg" title="Kelly Harrington wins Gold AIBA 2018" /></a></div>
<br />Kellie works at St Vincent's Psychiatric Hospital, and often talks about how the patients keep her grounded. Anytime a journalist asks, and now, will you quit working now? She says no, and you imagine she will still be working there with an Olympic gold around her neck ... one day. <br />
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<b><a href="https://twitter.com/kelly64kg?lang=en" target="_blank">Follow Kellie Harrington on Twitter: @Kelly64kg </a></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aibaboxing/with/45115319215/" target="_blank">Photos AIBA Flickr </a></b>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-32327546534482024682019-01-07T18:26:00.000+00:002019-01-25T18:28:59.067+00:00Girls against the boys for IWGA Athlete of the Year <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R73PLlpUwmirW2CQi_FrhA-xotnQ4dZlYGk9Uz2a__cY5A6IQIVw3fY6JJkKVVGv_u7Qm5BQWE-zQ9_MG3IXp-Dem1sDwWC3KupQXZUvR2-Qv022jNQpo3FY5865S-ujuu8YYOrHiRup/s1600/Svetlana+Vinnikova+gold+The+World+Games+2017+podium+with+Gia+Winberg+Finaland+Nili+Block+Israel++%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Svetlana Vinnikova a nominee for IWGA Athlete of the Year " border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R73PLlpUwmirW2CQi_FrhA-xotnQ4dZlYGk9Uz2a__cY5A6IQIVw3fY6JJkKVVGv_u7Qm5BQWE-zQ9_MG3IXp-Dem1sDwWC3KupQXZUvR2-Qv022jNQpo3FY5865S-ujuu8YYOrHiRup/s1600/Svetlana+Vinnikova+gold+The+World+Games+2017+podium+with+Gia+Winberg+Finaland+Nili+Block+Israel++%25281%2529.jpg" title="Svetlana Vinnikova a nominee for IWGA Athlete of the Year " /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Svetlana Vinnikova the Muaythai nominee for IWGA Athlete of the Year </td></tr>
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Awards season usually sees women and men going for separate prizes, but more and more the contests pits athlete against athlete. Two martial arts women from Karate and Muaythai are up for IWGA Athlete of the Year in an online voting contest. <br />
<a name='more'></a>The IWGA are behind The World Games, a huge multi-sport event taking place every four years. If that sounds like The Olympics, that's because it is in essence The Olympics for non-Olympic sports.<br />
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Muaythai - under IFMA - entered into The World Games for the first time in 2017, which now means those fighters get to compete on a much bigger stage for titles like this. I do some work with IFMA at events so I've gotten to know Svetlana Vinnikova (Russia) and she's a star in the making. Like a lot of fighters, you'd never tell to look at her that slicing people with elbows and kneeing them in the guts is that rocks her boat. But that nice-girl look hides someone who's left the biggest names in two weight divisions behind her - including Antonina Shevchenko, Nili Block, Gia Winberg and so on.<br />
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She's world champion with IFMA at 63.5kg (2018 and 2017, as well as European champ at the same weight), and won gold at The World Games at 60kg. <br />
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Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/svetlanavinni/?hl=en" target="_blank">Svetlana Vinnikova on Instagram: @Svetlanni </a><br />
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Karate is a sport on its way to the Olympics, but still has one foot in The World Games events. Sandra Sanchez (Spain) stands at first in the world Kata rankings, with 1,500 points over her nearest rival. She's been on the podium at every event shes entered since 2014 which is a serious record , especially for someone who only took up compeditive Kata about six year ago.<br />
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Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/sandrasankarate?lang=en" target="_blank">Sandra Sanchez on Twitter: @sandrasankarate</a><br />
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Muaythai won in 2016 with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sofiaolofssonmt/?hl=en" target="_blank">Sofia Olofsson </a>whose career has exploded since, really good to get that kind of exposure for women in less well-known sports!<br />
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You can vote both one or both of these women on The World Games website.
Its a crazy contest as they ask for supporters to vote every day in
January, and usually the sport with the most focused and dedicated fans
win! <br />
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<a href="https://www.theworldgames.org/awards/Athlete-of-the-Year-2018-58" target="_blank">VOTE HERE on The World Games site </a>real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-15176702650857304722018-12-19T07:30:00.000+00:002018-12-19T13:35:59.692+00:00Natalie Gonzales Hills wins at Evolution Fight Night 2 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr342a5liDVaRkHa0Y8jAhi6sUF4Wo-dtxVR3THc3PdX_7mCh8wOQPBGoQQKjbsievTm7cFpeLBKRHyYvxU6atdqfiCWP8LkHwSbQwVN15b9i2Wpe3ja2uM7J8Vay16ufQfBPINgVMC8yZ/s1600/Nat+Hills+post+win+Evolution+Fight+Night+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr342a5liDVaRkHa0Y8jAhi6sUF4Wo-dtxVR3THc3PdX_7mCh8wOQPBGoQQKjbsievTm7cFpeLBKRHyYvxU6atdqfiCWP8LkHwSbQwVN15b9i2Wpe3ja2uM7J8Vay16ufQfBPINgVMC8yZ/s1600/Nat+Hills+post+win+Evolution+Fight+Night+2.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Natalie Gonzales Hills has her post-fight routine all worked out, down to have bringing a yoga mat so she can stretch out and ice her bruises. It's no surprise then to hear English-Filipino fighter clocked up eight wins in just under a year. She added one more in Dublin at Evolution Fight Night 2 on Saturday. <br />
<a name='more'></a>I was looking forward to seeing Natalie fight because she's fighting under the famous Boonchu banner, and also because she was facing Jodie Fagan from Waterford. <br />
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On the night Jodie fought a tough fight, but Natalie just kept scoring. A slow start, building to a solid show of punches and accurate long knees, she was stacking up the points in every round. <br />
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When we spoke afterwards, she said: "I want to watch it all back again, it felt scrappy to me. I'm always critical I guess of how I perform, and I want to be composed in there. I'm glad it looked good, I'm always looking to make it better.<br />
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"I knew Jodie is a European champion, and that she fights very Thai-style.."<br />
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Sitting on her mat and applying ice to her shin as we talk, she slowly reveals the trials she went through to get to the ring. Although she's been fighting under the Boonchu banner in Queensland for a year, she's from England with English (her dad) and Filipino (her mum) ancestry. If you follow her online, you'll get a hint of that - Nat Kilapino.<br />
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And while there are plenty emigrants trekking home for Christmas, very few will have packed a fight camp and fight in a strange country into the suitcase.<br />
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She said: "It's been an adventure. I came home but because I haven't been in the UK for years I didn't have a gym. My friend Kerry Hughes is a fighter and she took me to her friends' gyms - Semtex in Essex and Five Area Boxing in Clapham. Then we were in Rome for a bit, I trained there too at Gloria Fight Centre."<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRerbG_Rrq-MVTcFJe4x1PxQt-lOUixnYaPbHRwxO-TBRuOX-CF450UPklXXyiPOgxrN4zR2B0TnnwwXyfmEa4DFMRyqxMvW7WvFHRVjTq6hC-hCgcWLmT2en1hPdMH1SYlqFoIeMkWC5x/s1600/IMG_20181215_212354-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRerbG_Rrq-MVTcFJe4x1PxQt-lOUixnYaPbHRwxO-TBRuOX-CF450UPklXXyiPOgxrN4zR2B0TnnwwXyfmEa4DFMRyqxMvW7WvFHRVjTq6hC-hCgcWLmT2en1hPdMH1SYlqFoIeMkWC5x/s1600/IMG_20181215_212354-01.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jodie Fagan - Natalie Hills opponent .</td></tr>
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Kerry did her corner and warm-up as well on the night, the sort of friend you need when you're a travelling fighter. So in contrast to everyone else on the night who walked out with at least three people around them and pumping up the cheers from their section of the crowd, Natalie sneaked out.<br />
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It was only when she stopped at the end of the walkway to slip off her shoes that most of the crowd realised Jodie's opponent was even there. You could almost see the penny drop; oh, there's that girl off the giant poster beamed up on the wall behind the ring. <br />
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The crowd was warmed up after a full-on undercard and ready to support the Irish girl, but that didn't faze Natalie either. Shrugging, she said: "This was not my first time walking into enemy territory, I've fought so many hometown girls. It's just the way it is, you have to fight whoever is out there."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ9R03hCsGZbr-h2xh3y7NrmrWA6HripJTME4D1NWr6g_yEzjUyOHXTI0UmwYi0iVY8YnneADmcmeRFvqXvGoO_5AtqrG2yy_FSNwTm3HQo0GKZcIKI6cBYCuloC3RAgKl2CnaM9SbiTd/s1600/Natalie+Hill+with+Kerry+Hughes+PIC+Evolution+Fight+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ9R03hCsGZbr-h2xh3y7NrmrWA6HripJTME4D1NWr6g_yEzjUyOHXTI0UmwYi0iVY8YnneADmcmeRFvqXvGoO_5AtqrG2yy_FSNwTm3HQo0GKZcIKI6cBYCuloC3RAgKl2CnaM9SbiTd/s1600/Natalie+Hill+with+Kerry+Hughes+PIC+Evolution+Fight+Night.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natallie with Kerry Hughes during the bout <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/evolutionfightnight/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">This PIC credit Evolution Fight Night </a></td></tr>
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Her fighting career began in sadly familiar circumstances - randomly attacked while out fundraising for charity, she decided afterwards to fight back and make sure this would never happen again.<br />
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This fight on Saturday was fought under professional muaythai rules,
no elbow guards. But Natalie has also gone down the IFMA amateur route.
She won at National level in Australia which usually means a place on
the Muaythai Australia National Team for the worlds. <br />
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I won the nationals in Australia, and really enjoyed that. I would have
been on the team, but I couldn't afford to go to Mexico, the worlds
were there this year. I'd like to try that again - I won the State
Championships too in Queensland," she said.<br />
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But there's a few other martial arts in the mix as well. In a nod to her heritage, she's spent time learning Arnis and Yaw-Yan Fervilleon. And experimenting with MMA - she ruefully admits to having lost five bouts in a row before deciding that striking sports were a better option.<br />
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Her record now stands at 11 fights for 11 wins so that journey looks set to continue. She plans to fight in the UK in January sometime before heading back to the sunshine and training at Boonchu. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCdXVJXczPXkf2qdsL-nHsfeNz-uGK5vwfjll2jKifXaJWTR0I7pkx3pInsZNmubw1iyyO5s11ncxxtEUGZrzjudXm5F_jOBQ6PixJPX9NhJzvdOmRy9K8FB0YfzQfRCaCgiViHRI7jvT/s1600/IMG_20181215_224536-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCdXVJXczPXkf2qdsL-nHsfeNz-uGK5vwfjll2jKifXaJWTR0I7pkx3pInsZNmubw1iyyO5s11ncxxtEUGZrzjudXm5F_jOBQ6PixJPX9NhJzvdOmRy9K8FB0YfzQfRCaCgiViHRI7jvT/s1600/IMG_20181215_224536-01.jpeg" /></a></div>
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She said: "I'm just planning on having a nice family Christmas now at home, my family flew over here to see me fight in Dublin so now it's time to just be with them. It's so great they were here, it's made the whole night."<br />
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And then it really was time to finish icing that shin, get changed and forget about fighting ... just for a while.<br />
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<b>Thanks to <a href="http://evolutionfightnight.ie/" target="_blank">Evolution Fight Night</a> for having me along to meet the women on the card - more interviews to come! And also for having so many women's and girls bouts! </b><br />
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<b>Follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NatKilapino/" target="_blank">Natalie Gonzalez Hills on Facebook @Natkilapino</a> or on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/natthrills/" target="_blank">Instagram @NatThrills</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.realgirlsport.com/2018/11/jodie-fagans-muaythai-journey-continues.html" target="_blank">Read a pre-fight interview here with Jodie Fagan. </a></b><br />
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<b>More photos from the bout on the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/evolutionfightnight/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank"> Evolution Fight Night Facebook page </a></b><br />
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<br />real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004808233977332633.post-24754048980388023542018-12-03T17:36:00.000+00:002019-01-25T17:38:12.959+00:00Rugby's Juliet Short togs out for Ireland after a crazy journey <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7uKZxwRSFRyajo8Hi22u67kfwf4jtT4whmwC-n4fgV9O_o84flW_8aPZUw4NZT1PkfhXZyg5SWogYV8SWNQqI_pyi0NsIyhLA5VcALvbfBurmIgQKKjphGDQ-H2GPbURng3sr1QcXlWs/s1600/Juliet+Short+rugby+ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Juliet Short Ireland Rugby womens team " border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="620" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7uKZxwRSFRyajo8Hi22u67kfwf4jtT4whmwC-n4fgV9O_o84flW_8aPZUw4NZT1PkfhXZyg5SWogYV8SWNQqI_pyi0NsIyhLA5VcALvbfBurmIgQKKjphGDQ-H2GPbURng3sr1QcXlWs/s640/Juliet+Short+rugby+ireland.jpg" title="Juliet Short Ireland Rugby womens team " width="640" /></a></div>
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The rugby world can come across as quite conservative, so it's always interesting to get a peek behind the curtain and see what really drives these women. And it turns out Juliet Short's road to the green jersey was far from obvious. <br />
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Women's rugby is very much evolving in Ireland, especially recently with the big emphasis on the Rugby 7s for the Olympics.That will have a knock-on effect on players' pathway into the game but for now, things are less clear-cut.<br />
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Juliet said her place on the 15s team is long-time ambition realised, saying: "“I’m really excited about this, I have butterflies. It makes my heart pump just thinking about it. It’s all I’ve ever dreamt about, to represent my country – that’s been the dream."<br />
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The stand-out in her playing career is a swerve into coaching in Brazil. Not a country with a huge rugby reputation but Juliet had a career-defining visit there, giving her knees and her perspective a break. <br />
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She played full-time 7s Rugby in Ireland too, getting a look at the professional life. She said: " I had insight into that lifestyle with the Sevens which was great. It was different, you’ve got to be 100 per cent dedicated and committed. Unless you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to understand. The men’s teams have a great opportunity, but I would say a lot of people don’t understand or see the difficulties that professional sports people go through."<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/juliet-short-set-to-fulfil-her-dream-of-playing-for-ireland-1.3689910" target="_blank">Read more from Juliet Short here in the original interview. </a></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://twitter.com/julietshort17?lang=en" target="_blank">Follow Juliet Short on Twitter. </a></b><br />
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<br />real girl sporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378332226082962725noreply@blogger.com0