IT IS UNUSUAL for one club to win four world title events and even more unlikely that four medals would be won by the same family, but that is exactly what was achieved last weekend in Sheffield by the McAnulty family, from Liatroim.
Representing the Kazoku Ireland Association, Gerard competed in the +78kg Shobu Ippon category and won, Barry won the Open weight category, Conor won the –78kg and Gerard’s daughter, Rioghnach, won the 6-7-year-old white and green belt Shobu Sanbon category.
Gerard said that the achievement was a surprise to everyone.
“It is brilliant. It is one that I will remember. We have won big titles in the past and we have won team titles. But to win four individual gold medals at the same tournament, it is one that we will put the picture on the wall.
“It is not too often that you would get four gold medals from one club, never mind from the one family.
“Even the organisers couldn’t believe that it was three brothers and then my daughter.”
The McAnulty family competed at the WKC (World Karate Confederation) World Championships in Sheffield. They usually fight in the WUKF (World Union of Karate-Do Federations) body events. But that body’s world championship was scheduled to take place in Mexico this year (in July) and the family couldn’t afford to go there.
Instead, they decided to go to the event in Sheffield. They flew in on the Friday and were competing on the Saturday.
“It was a very high standard. We had not competed in that body before. Every one of the fights were of a decent level. I fought opponents from Serbia, Italy, Ukraine, and England.
“The talent was pretty good. There was a good level of competition.
“Sometimes you go to a competition and you will only get three or four fights. To get five or six was good.
“The level of competition was good. Everything seemed to click into gear for us at the weekend.”
In the full story Gerard explains how six year old Rioghnach took everything in her stride. Read what she said after winning gold.