Sofia Open 2019
South Dublin Taekwondo’s international team were joined by a development team at the 2019 Sofia Open. The Bulgarian capital played host to 2 parallel events; The World Ranking G1 event, with a ‘beginners’ event happening in tandem. Day 1 was for children, cadets & Juniors, with all but one SDTKD team member in action. The beginner team was composed of Anna, Steve & Lisabeth Mahesh, Kate & James McGovern, Eoin Rosales, Shae McGovern & Ben Nugent. Team building was the goal, and the opportunity to compete alongside the international team. This goal was achieved with medals as a bonus. Lisabeth Mahesh & Eoin Rosales secured gold, Anna Mahesh silver & Kate McGovern Bronze. Also on day 1 in the international ranking event were debutants Jacqueline Rosales & Shauna Farrell, alongside European bronze medalist Emma Cahill, Ryan Doyle, Lauren Farrell & David Phelan. Results were spearheaded by the female competitors with Shauna Farrell winning gold in Children -40kg, her sister Lauren Farrell returned to the podium in -59kg Junior securing bronze, rising star Emma Cahill shone in the -41kg cadet female division winning all 4 of her bouts to secure her first G1 event gold.
With no fewer than 7 medals secured, day 2 saw the turn of Jack Woolley to take to the ring and show many of his up & coming team mates his methods. In the round of 16 jack saw off Greek Opposition Vyron Tsolakidis 37-8 setting up a quarter final with Italy’s Mattia Crescenzi which ended 30-10 in Jacks favour. With momentum building & 2 consecutive wins by 20 point gap, Jacks Greek semi final opponent Georgious Iosnnou did not contest the semi final. Jack progresses to the final, and in a somewhat anticlimactic way took team orders and did not fight and settled for silver.
Coach Robert Taaffe discussed the unusual finish, ‘The worlds are next month, Jack came here to demonstrate his form and utilize some tactical adjustments which I was happy worked in his earlier rounds. Our objective was achieved. Jack looked sharp, we learned a few things to take away for the final preparations for Manchester’ ‘Saturday was a great day for the team, Emma Cahill led by great example & fought with superb composure and beat a field of substantial athletes. We tried a new approach and have a lot of positives to focus on & work on.