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Kick Boxing Champion Jade

Lauren Burns
St. Dominic's College, Cabra

We are here with Jade Dunleavy, World Silver Medallist at the Under 16 Girl's Kick Boxing Championships. She is 14 years old and is currently third year student at St. Dominic's College, Cabra. Kickboxing is a fast growing sport and Jade shares her experiences with us in this interview.

What attracted you to a sport like kickboxing?
Well, my dad did it for 13 years and that's how I got started, I did it for four or five years when I was younger but gave it up for a while and then started back again in 5th class.

Are the lessons expensive?
Well my dad is a coach in Stewart's sports Centre in Palmerstown where I train regularly so I get my lessons free.

What are the training sessions like?
I train three times a week, for three hours on Tuesday & Thursday (8 till 11), and then for two hours on Saturday (5 till 7). On Saturday afternoons I teach the junior class (3.30 till 5), - some of the girls have a lot of potential and are certainly destined for great things. The training sessions consist of jogging, sprints, stamina (press ups etc.), sparring (two opponents scoring off each other), bag work (sparring on a bag), weights and swimming (40 lengths).

What were the finals like?
They were held in Hanover in Germany. 50 of us from Ireland went, all from different divisions. 15 of us got medals. On the Thursday morning, we registered and weighed-in. On Friday, the Elimination Rounds were held. This consisted of two countries fighting each other, the loser being eliminated. In this round I beat the Czech Republic and Germany, but in the finals I was beaten by a Canadian. It was really close in the end, I lost by only two points (equivalent to losing a Gaelic Football match by one point). It was two 2 minute rounds and I was winning in the first but lost in the second.

Does the sport have the same concerns about danger as boxing?
No, because protective gear must be worn at all times, such as a head guard, a gum shield, hand pads/gloves, shin guards, feet pads and groin guards (boys only but some girls wear them for extra protection). Chest guards will be compulsory soon for women.

What are your ambitions?
I'd like to win gold next year in Kentucky,and I'd like to stay in the WKA (World Karate Association) until I retire, which is between 25 and 30 years of age. I'd like to continue kick boxing and get my black belt at 18. I would also eventually like to own my own club. I don't know for certain yet but I do know that whatever I choose will be kick boxing orientated.

Is it a turn off for boys when they hear that you are a kick boxer?
Not really! Most of them don't care but some small-minded ones take a step back when they hear what I do. Some teachers make me feel like a bit of a ruffian but I don't really care.

Have you ever been in a situation at home where you have had to use your kick boxing skills to defend yourself?
No, it's all about discipline. Let's just say if it came to it I could defend myself!

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