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Rachael Carvill from Mayobridge is competing for Ireland this weekend at the 2023 Open ITF Taekwondo European Championships in Lisburn.
The competition will be held in the National Badminton Centre in Lisburn on Saturday 24 June and Sunday 25 June. The championships are open to all Juniors (6-17 years), Adults (18-34 years) and Veterans (35 years & above) who hold the ranks of Green Belt (6th Kup) to Black Belt (6th Degree).
Rachael, 14, is the Current Taekwondo U18 Hyper Weight Champion. She recently competed for Ireland in the ITF Taekwondo World Championships and brought home the gold medal. Rachael was the youngest competitor to compete in her section. Rachael was also appointed Captain of the U18 Irish girls’ team, a huge personal honour.
Rachael took up the sport when she was seven and her local club, Cathal Fegans in the Community Hall in Warrenpoint. A massive accomplishment for Rachael was becoming a Black Belt at the age of 13. Since then, Rachael has travelled to compete and won many titles in in cities including Barcelona and Amsterdam. Rachael travels the length and breath of Ireland competing for her club and her skills have gone from strength to strength.
Rachael is hands-on at the family farm in Mayobridge when it comes to rearing and caring for the livestock. Sheenjoys other sports such as GAA, boxing, and horse-riding. Taekwondo is a family sport, Rachael’s brother also competes and the family travel together to competitions to support each other.
Rachael is often one of the only girls to compete at this level and bring home gold and a title. The Mayobridge girl is testament that encouraging girls into sport and supporting them at all levels continues Ireland’s strong legacy of women in sport competing at high levels of their chosen discipline.
Rachael is hoping for as much local support as possible at the event this weekend.
