Medals galore for Judo Team Ireland in Switzerland
27 Judo Assist Team Ireland team members travelled to the picturesque town of Poschiavo, Switzerland earlier this month to take part in one of the biggest and best adaptive/inclusive judo festivals on the international judo calendar.
The Irish team was made up of eleven adaptive judo players (9 from Tipperary & 2 from Wexford), two coaches, two officials and twelve supporters & parents.
The team had been training hard for nearly a year for this event and for some; it was their first time representing Ireland on the International stage.
On the first day, over 200 athletes with their coaches and supporters arrived in Poschiavo ready for the festival to begin. After checking in everybody enjoyed dinner together at Punto Rosso. As Poschiavo is situated in the Italy/Swiss Mountains the food had a very Italian influence. On the first morning, all athletes converged on the sports arena to participate in an international welcome training session. All the Irish athletes were in good form and in true Irish spirit proceeded very quickly to make new friends.
Following the training session, it was time to sample some of the best pizza the town had to offer – the delegations were split into groups and enjoyed an amazing lunch in several fine restaurants around the town. After lunch, it was time for the first excursion of the festival. Our team opted for a boat ride around the lake of Poschiavo. With stunning 360o views of the surrounding mountains, Team Ireland enjoyed a bit of team bonding and relaxation before the competition started.
Friday was the first day of the competition which started with a mixed-team event. This event mixes athletes from different countries and creates nine-person teams, who compete against each other individually. Team Ireland took up their positions in their respective teams and competition began.
Every Team Ireland competitor put in an incredible performance, some winning all their contests and some winning some of their contests. In true sportsmanship, they were humble in success and gracious in defeat. At the end of day one, Team Ireland had secured their first international medals of the championships with 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 6 Bronze medals.
Friday continued with a train ride up the mountains to the summit vantage point where the team could relax and take in the breath-taking scenery. The evening was host to the EU-funded Autjudo (Autism/Judo) research project conference where Judo Assist President James Mulroy was guest speaker.
Saturday was main competition day where 200 competitors from fifteen countries would battle it out for the prestigious titles and medals of a major international event.
Team Ireland competitors, Anoushka Davies, Thomas Galvin, Aife Dalton, Grainne O’Mahoney, Kyle Alexander, Eoghan McCarthy, Sean Og Davitt, Lochlann Davitt, David Holland-Colman, Sam Fryday and Vinnie Graham performed to the best of their ability and did Ireland, their coaches, parents, supporters and themselves proud.
The total medal tally for the individual event was: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze, three 4th Place and one 5th place. This was an incredible result for Team Ireland and ranked them high on the medal table.
“As an organisation we are so proud of Team Ireland and all they have achieved together,” said James Mulroy, president of Judo Assist Ireland.
“We are lucky and honoured to have the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing people. The Team represented Ireland with class and true inclusive spirit. Lifetime memories and friends were made at this event and others like it.”
The next scheduled event is the International Tipperary Friendship Inclusion Games which will be held in Nenagh on 12th & 13th November. Over 180 competitors from all over Ireland, UK, Switzerland and Italy will converge on the historical town of Nenagh for what will be the only judo event of its kind in the world.
The local, national and international partners that help make it happen are; Danroe International, DHL, Specsavers, Ladybirds Nenagh, Costello’s Gala Nenagh, Nenagh Equestrian centre, Skehanagh Windfarm, Lodge Security, Zipyard Nenagh, Mr Binman and Puckane National School.
Judo Assist Ireland is dedicated to the promotion and development of inclusive judo both nationally and internationally. We operate a national/international Special Needs / Autism activity and inclusion programme specifically designed to encourage physical activity, inclusion, competitiveness and well-being to a wide selection of people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.
For information about Judo Assist Ireland, visit www.judoassist.ie