Potential Mayo Olympian issues urgent funding SOS

ONE of Mayo’s most accomplished sportsmen is being denied the opportunity to realise his full potential because of an abject lack of funding for his sport of karate.

Twenty-one-year-old Aaron McLoughlin, Derryronane, Swinford, is preparing for the World Senior Karate Championships in Austria next November without any financial backing or the resources to attend Premier League events throughout Europe ahead of the event in order to maintain the highest level of competitive sharpness.

Now with karate almost certain to be made an Olympic sport ahead of the Toyko Olympics in 2020, he is fearful of missing out on his dream because of the funding obstacles facing him compared to his main rivals in other countries.

A student of sports science and health at Dublin City University, Aaron, a son of Donal and Monica McLoughlin, is appealing for help from major sponsors to help him achieve his goals.

He stated: 'I have achieved many goals in both my academic and sporting career to date. Setting goals is an integral part of my success in the past and they ensure I never lose focus of upcoming challenges that are in my way. 

'As of now, my ultimate goal is to be an advocate in Ireland for the promotion of the martial art of karate for the Olympic Games in Japan in Tokyo 2020.

'In order to do that I will require sponsorship to support me in achieving this goal.

'To improve my skills I need to avail of international training camps and learn from the best competitors and coaches in Europe.

'Due to my international success, I am the only Irish competitor who has been invited by various national coaches such as Hungary, Kosovo and Scotland to train with their national teams. Due to a lack of funding I have had to turn down these generous offers.

'The funding will enable me to promote the improvements of Irish karate on not just a national, but also a global stage.

'As part of my role to promote martial arts, I acknowledge the support my local community has provided me from a very young age. They have always believed in my abilities and I want to give back to the community in recognition of their constant support. 

'My next goal is to make everyone aware of the life changing impact martial arts has had on my life and how the exposure of karate can be of benefit to so many people regardless of age, sex or level of ability.

'I want to empower the people of my community by promoting the importance of martial arts and empower them to become more confident in themselves and in self-defence. I aim do this by providing free self-defence classes for all.'

See his full story in this week's issue of The Connaught Telegraph.