This week the 3rd edition of the World Combat Games took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The World Combat Games are also proudly showcasing over 1,500 elite athletes from 120+ countries and 16 martial arts and combat sports: Aikido, Arm wrestling, Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Karate, Kendo, Muay Thai, Sambo, Savate, Sumo, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Wushu and Kickboxing.
The Games are run by Sport Accord and receive full support of the (IOC) International Olympic Committee (IOC) The Games are a very prestigious combat sports event, coveted by many of the top combat sports athletes.
Ireland had one Kickboxing athlete that qualified for the event, Jodie Browne from Tallaght Martial Arts, Jodie is no stranger to such success, she is the current European and World Champion and now holds the coveted World Combat Games gold medal. This is a feat that has never been accomplished by any kickboxing athlete, holding all three titles at the same time.
“She had to work hard for this one” said Coach Dave Heffernan, beating a very difficult unknown south African athlete in the first round, then meeting the present European Olympic Champion from Italy in the semi-final, a tight match but Jodie’s superior range of techniques proved to be the difference in this fight. It was then on to the Final against a very accomplished Mexican fighter and present Pan American Champion. Jodie started very strong in this bout and took an early lead, her calm demeanour and high fight IQ saw Jodie control the fight from start to finish and although the scores were tight at times, Jodie came out a strong winner.
Jodie has trained in Tallaght Martial arts since she was 4 years old, is a past pupil of Old bawn Community school, now in College and working part time, any spare time she has is spent preparing for her next event.
Next up for Jodie and Tallaght Martial Arts is the WAKO World Championships in Portugal at the end of November, so no rest for this amazing young athlete as she now gets straight back into training.
“We are very proud of her here in Tallaght Martial Arts, the sport is only a small part of what we do here, developing strong, confident young people is very important to us, giving them the weapons to take on life as well as have fun and compete all over the world if that is what they choose” said chief instructor Martin Bannon.
