Another world title for Dragons (From Barry And District News)

Another world title for Dragons

NINE members of the Barry Dragons Tae Kwon Do Club represented Wales at the WKA (World Kick Boxing and Karate Association) World Championships held in Killarney, in the Republic of Ireland.

The world title went to James Morgan, who last year won two world titles in Denmark in points and continuous sparring.

James was in top form, winning the junior points sparring title, beating an Irish fighter in a one-sided final.

James, fighting on a big stage and in front of the television cameras for the first time, took it all in his stride and was very proud when the Welsh National Anthem played as he took centre stage on the winners podium.

The medals did not end there as James had to come back the next day to pick up the bronze medal that he won in continuous sparring earlier in the tournament.

Danny Ryan also took centre stage, fighting the Canadian champion, just losing out in a great final by 16pts to 15. But he won a great silver medal in a world championships that drew more than 50 competing countries.

Nine-year-old Abigail Palfrey, of Holton Road Junior School, took a bronze medal in continuous sparring, losing out in the semi-finals to the English champion who went on to win the tournament.

There were four Dragons, Tom Farmer, Peter Fordham, Mark Palfrey and Richard Palfrey in the Welsh Junior five man team which lost to the American team in the quarter finals.

Tom Farmer was the only kata representative and scored good marks, finishing just outside the medals.

Welsh squad members were Nicky Limbrick, Mark Palfrey, James Morgan, Richard Palfrey, Peter Fordham, Danny Ryan, Abigail Palfrey, Ashley Coles and Tom Farmer.

The Dragons hold their Christmas party at the Barry Football Club on December 18. Training times at the Barry YMCA are Tuesdays from 5pm to 7pm, Thursdays 6pm to 8pm and Saturdays 5pm to 8pm.