A GROUP of Irish athletes will go for gold at the Inclusive Karate World Championships in Dublin this week.
The team includes athletes from all backgrounds and abilities, including members with spina bifida and autism.
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The sixth Open Inclusive Karate World Championship will take over the DCU Sports Hall on Saturday June 23.
And Team Ireland are calling for last minute fundraising support in advance of the games.
Helen Goodson Finglas is a Taekwondo Instructor and Special Needs Assistant and part of Team Ireland.
And she stressed how martial arts can help people of any age and ability improve their “balance, their coordination and fitness” – and the games show that anyone can take part.
Helen said: “We’re all martial arts. Inclusion means that everyone is welcome. No matter what you do or what ability you have.”
Ireland has a team of 66 competitors who will be lining out in the games, with each set to receive a special trophy for being part of the competition.
But they have to fundraise to cover costs of being able to take part in the championships.
Helen said: “We’ve come on board now as Team Ireland but were very new to it.
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“So we want to do our bit and contribute medals, rental equipment and food the night before.
“We’re brand new as an Irish team so we have to get new tracksuits, we’ve to get a lot of coaches out as well.
“We wear a Dobok. Most of the students have one but we’ve to get some with the Irish flag and Ireland written on the back.”
And Helen is not the only one in her family who is helping out, as her husband Anthony is arranging for everything from logistics to photographs.
Her three sons, who range in age from 15 to 20, are all volunteer coaches.
Helen, who coaches at the Rivervalley and Ashbourne Taekwondo club, praised the talent at her Dublin club.
She said: “We’re home to several world champions, European champions. We’re also home to Jenny Lehane who’s just qualified in the Olympics.”
She also praised Anne Caulfield, who is one of the main organisers of the Inclusive World Championships.
Helen added: “Team Ireland inclusion is a new set up for Taekwon-Do.
“We currently have four Taekwon-Do clubs involved, however we hope this is the start to something bigger and better for inclusive martial arts in Ireland.”
So far the group have raised nearly €3,000 for their cause.
You can donate on their GoFundMe here or to attend the event on June 23, head to I-Karate for tickets.
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