Dundrum karate expert enjoys highlight of his career

Find out the remarkable opponents that Dundrum’s Rory Kavanagh defeated on his way to becoming grand champion in South Carolina.

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Dundrum's Rory Kavanagh with the gold medal and Grand Champion Suzuki Cup.

AT the WIKF (Wado International Karate-do Federation) World Championships in Greenville, South Carolina, USA, last weekend, Dundrum karate star Rory Kavanagh took on some of the world’s best fighters and came out victorious. 

Rory, the current WIKF European champion, had to medal at these championships to be able to enter the Suzuki Cup, as only medal winners get to compete against this elite group of fighters. Rory won the bronze medal in his -67kgs weight category, which allowed him enter the prestigious Suzuki Cup event. 

After fighting his way through the initial stages of the Suzuki Cup, with wins against a Chilean and several USA competitors, Rory won through to the final where he faced Brian Irr (USA), a Tokyo 2020 Olympian and eight times Pan-American champion. 

Rory put up such a performance that the support within the whole stadium seemed to be backing him. Eventually, a full time score of 6 – 2 in Rory’s favour had even the opposition’s coach applauding his performance. 

30-year-old Rory, from Dundrum, is a member of Downpatrick Karate School, where he has trained under the tuition of his dad Noel, a 5th Dan Black Belt, for almost 25 years. He is also a member of Team Ireland and has competed at many European and World Karate events, but he says winning the Suzuki Cup and title of Grand Champion is the highlight of his karate life so far. 

Downpatrick Karate hold two classes weekly, at Down Leisure Centre (DLC), on Sundays at 2pm and Mondays at 6.30pm. All classes are open to beginners and experienced karatekas. 

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