Connor Wins European Gold
Connor won a silver and gold medal in two styles at the event in Liverpool
Martial Artist competitor Connor Clague has returned to the island winning two medals at the WMO Europeans.
Connor won a silver and gold medal in two styles at the World’s Martial Arts Organisation’s event in Liverpool.
We wrote last week that Connor and his dad Brian were heading to compete in Liverpool, but with Brian sidelined to the judges’ table, it was up to Connor to fly the flag on the mats.
Brian said: ‘Up first was the Points Category where Connor got a bye into the quarter finals which gave us an opportunity to suss out the opposition and their weaknesses. As we are limited with our competition sparring, we concentrate on good technique and fight craft and this boded Connor well as he progressed through to the final with some solid work from the start and with a high work rate he was able to pick his shots and stay one step ahead of his competitor.
‘It was the same plan for the Final where he was up against a talented kicker form the Emulous Dojo who would really test his workrate and it certainly did. Leading after the first two minute round Connor was pushed constantly as his opponent tried to close him down and in the dying seconds of the 2nd round his opponent managed to land a kick which scored three points and turned Connor’s two point lead into a one point defeat.
‘Losing by just 1 point shows how hard work and quality training can pay off however being on an island the lack of competitive mat time will always be against us in gaining that experience in points fighting. With four wins and one loss resulted in the WMO European Silver Medal but bodes him well for the future.’
After that close defeat, Connor entered the kumite (Japanese fighting style) class which, spoiler alert, he went on to win.
Brian explained: ‘He [Connor] had been putting a lot of extra training in and it payed off as he progressed though the rounds to make the final with some clean and solid technique.
‘Watching the other competitors through the rounds gives the coaches the chance to see the strengths and weaknesses of the next opponent and address them and it would be needed as Connor’s opponent in the final was a current World Gold Medalist from another orginisation.
‘Using Tai Sabaki ( body movement ) in setting up his opponent and scoring on each mistake his opponent made kept Connor ahead throughout the fight and gave him the win and the WMO European Gold Medal. Again, the hard work and attention to detail payed off as Connor normally trains four times a week but this steps up to six times a week with extra cardio when leading up to a major comp.’
Sponsorship
Connor would like to thank his Sensei at the WMO Isle of Man Black Wolves Dojo in teaching him and getting him ready for comps and also the people, boxers and coaching staff at the Isle of Man Boxing and Fitness Academy where he put in extra training and their intensity, drive and quality skillsets help keep him in physically and mentally in shape to compete.
He also extended thanks to the crew at Corkhills Garage in Onchan in enabling Connor to get away at the weekend.
Connor has the opportunity to travel to the UK throughout the Summer with offers to train and compete at some of the North West’s top Dojos but with travel costs being high and not being eligible for any funding it is hard to get away to gain experience and share it with the next generation, so any offers of Sponsorship or help with the travel costs can be please sent to him personally at connorclague03@icloud.com
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