Teenage martial artist who trains in Kildare is now a world-class champion

A teenager from the Kildare-Laois border has been officially crowned a martial arts World Champion at the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Taekwon-Do Junior and Senior World Championships.

Talented 17-year-old Shane Allison hails from Ballybrittas and attends secondary school in Monasterevin.

Last year, Shane brought home a Bronze World Championship medal from Italy.

Now, after more blood, sweat and tears, Shane has found more success.

Commenting on his success, Shane told the Leinster Leader: "It feels amazing, I’ve worked so hard I’m so glad all the hard work and dedication has paid off."

Shane trains in Nio Taekwon-Do Newbridge with Mr Hong Looi and Miss Sabina Mason both of whom travelled out to the Championship in Finland to support him.

He trains five to six times per week and during the preparation attends National Team Squad sessions, which are held in Dublin and Cork.

Shane photographed at the moment he was announced as the victor.

When asked about his training, he responded: "It was tough, I had pretty much carried on my training from the Europeans straight onto the Worlds, so I had been training hard since January for this.

He added: "I’m gone into 6th year now so studying and school is going to take away from the amount of training I can do until after my Leaving Cert, which for me is annoying, because I love training so much!

As for his goals for the future, Shane said: "My dream is to go on and become a professional fighter I’m hoping to go down the road of MMA or professional kickboxing.

"I do also plan on going to college and am looking at courses and options at the moment... I plan to go to some College Open days in the next few weeks to help with that."

Earlier this month, Shane was selected as part of the National Team to compete in the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships in Tampere, Finland from September 4 to 10.

He took to the mats on September 6 and competed against England, Finland, Scotland, Argentina and Australia, and then entered into the final against Romania.

After a show-stopping fight, Shane was announced on the podium as the 2023 ITF -75kg Sparring World Champion, all while 'Amhran Na Bhfiann' was played across the entire arena.

Commenting on Shane’s victory, Mr Hong Looi said: "It is our pleasure to see Shane grow to such a wonderful person in and out of the mats.

"He battled through six rounds of gruesome sparrings and he emerged victorious."

Shane with his instructors, Sabina Mason and Hong Looi.

He continued: “The maturity in the hardships and tough decisions against him especially in his quarters, semis and final were really noticeable.

“Well done and well deserved Shane – European and World Champion 2023. Mr and Miss are really proud of you.”

Shane’s proud mother, Gina, also commented on her son’s success.

She told the Leader: "It really is hard to get your head around the fact that our son is a World Champion.... we were there and we saw it, but it’s all been such a whirlwind. Honestly, I think the European Title was just about starting to sink in, and now this!

"Shane is so dedicated to his sport, he really does sacrifice an awful lot (he had a weekend ticket for Electric Picnic and didn’t go) so we are just so happy for him to see it all paying off.

"In terms of how we feel, it’s hard to describe. I think a new word needs to be invented as proud just doesn’t cut it anymore!" she added.

Shane also expressed his gratitude to those who helped him along the way: "There’s so many people I’d like to thank: I wouldn’t have come as far as I have without my parents, sister and my trainers Hong Looi and Sabina Mason so a huge thank you to them and everyone else who has helped me along the way.

"A special thank you also to some very generous companies who supported my campaign to Finland through sponsorship: Durcan’s Fencing, MPF, Curran Consulting and ABC Stocktaking Services."