Titans clash in USA

Representing Limavady and Northern Ireland were three local kickboxers, who claimed an impressive seven medal haul between them at what their coach Willie Lowry called the “big one” - the World Kickboxing Association World Championships.

Liam McLaughlin, who described the WKA World Championships as the “cream of the cream” and “one of the best I’ve ever been at”, claimed gold for the second year running in the under-75kg weight category.

17-year-old Morgan McKinney secured an incredible two gold medals and two bronze medals fighting at two different weight divisions in and around 55kg. He was also retaining a world title won at the World Championships in Germany last year.

Ruari McConway, another talented Titans teenager, won two bronze medals fighting in the under 70kg division. Morgan and Ruari claimed the two bronzes in one of the team events, representing Northern Ireland.

Coach and founder of Limavady Titans Kickboxing Club enthused about the talented trio, whom he said “set a great example to all the kids coming into the club.” He said: “It is great to have people like that at the club. The wee ones really look up to them and it shows them what they can achieve when you put the work in. They set a great example to all the kids coming into the club and I have to say we are lucky to have them.

“The club itself seems to really be going from strength to strength. It is coming up on 13 years since I started the club. When we started off there were only about seven or eight of us. We have about 50 people of all ages and from both sides of the community coming in to the club, steady, every week. You couldn’t ask for more.

“We have Northern Ireland champions; British champions; European champions; world champions - every level going we have champions. Every year we have an open night and I say to them ‘well, if we can do it this year’ and it gets better every year.

“We had seven medals at the world championships in Florida - three golds. That was the WKA world championships too. It really is the big one. They don’t come any bigger than that and we are only back from the European Championships at the end of the summer in Sheffield. We brought back five European title holders from that.”

He added: “Just last weekend we had a lot of the wee ones at an event up in Claudy and a whole load of them won. It’s just great to see.”

“We’re really starting to make our mark now”, says founder and former kickboxing champion Willie Lowry, who said the club’s name was inspired by the movie Clash of the Titans.

The measure of the Titans’ success is evident in the sheer volume of medals and trophies members being brought back to the Roe Valley each year from competitions right around the globe. Since 2007 the Titans have won 62 world medals and on average take home 300 medals and trophies each year from other competitions. While the Limavady man and his fellow coach, Collins McGowan are delighted and proud of the kickboxers success, it doesn’t come cheaply and the club has lobbied local politicians in their quest to secure funding.

“We fund it ourseleves, out of our own pockets,” said Mr Lowry. He added: “We have a couple of members, the likes of Liam McLaughlin is on the ‘Kwon’ team. He is a sponsored fighter so that means he is able to have kit supplied and he can get flights and hotels paid for.

“Morgan has been selected as well so that type of sponsorship helps with the costs. I wasn’t able to get over to the world championships myself this year – I couldn’t afford it. That’s the first time in about eight or nine years I’ve had to miss it.”

Liam McLaughlin, who claimed gold for the Titans in his weight category, said he was delighted to be able to set a good example for the children at the club. He said: “Without a doubt, it is fantastic when the younger ones ask you, ‘am I doing this the right way?” He added: “This has to be one of the best world championships I’ve ever been to - over in America. It’s some country. I was there in 2008 and I didn’t think I was ever going to be back.

“I’ve been to ten world championships altogether. The standard doesn’t get much better, unless you’re professional. I won one last year in Germany ad I came second in Scotland the year before. I had a couple of third-placed finishes before that - so hopefully that means I am getting better.

“I would just like to say thanks to Willie and Collins for all the help they have given me over the years, and to Sweet nightclub for sponsoring me.”

All in all, Limavady Titans founder Willie Lowry believes the club is becoming stronger every year on the back of their success. He added: “We train on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.00 - 8.30pm at Limavady FC and we would be delighted to welcome new members. Beginners, world champions, young, old male or female and from both sides of the community. We will be glad to have you.”