Lisburn News

Kurt crowned Open Youth Champion of Ireland

BOXING

Kurt Walker, from Canal Boxing Academy, with the Irish U-18 medal he won at the recent boxing championships at the National Stadium, Dublin.

LISBURN flyweight Kurt Walker was celebrating winning the Open Youth Champion of Ireland with a terrific display at the National Stadium in Dublin.

The young star, who trains at Canal Boxing Academy, found his best form as he fought four times in one week winning the title on Saturday January 14.

In his first fight, Kurt fought Limericks Joe Sweeny. Kurt was two points behind in the first round, only to turn things around and hammer out aá 15-3 win at the end of the third round.

Kurt's second fight was a very convincing display as he fought Kieran Kenny of Monkstown, Dublin and stopped him in the third round. This booked Kurt into the semi final with a mouth-watering fight against the experience Gary McKenna of Smithboro, County Monaghan. Kurt won the contest 19-11, leaving one more fight to lift the title.

The final was against Eugene Brady of Riverstown, Cork. Kurt had too much left in the locker and Brady was retired in the third round, to see Kurt crowned Open Youth Champion of Ireland.

"I'm delighted," said Kurt. "The first and the third fight were very hard, it was great to win the title."

The St. Patrick's Academy pupil, who is currently studying for three A Levels in Sports, Science and ICT, is certainly dedicated to his sport, training every day for two hours in the Lisburn club, as well as training in Dublin on Saturday's.

The local lad has been at Canal Boxing Academy for three years and he will also soon train with a team of Russian coaches at a training camp in Dublin and hopes to travel to the World Youth championships in China in August, as well as a tournament in Russia in April.

Kurt added: "I'd like to thank my coaches, Noel and Paddy for doing my corner and Kevin and Jim for training me."

stacey.heaney@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
03/02/2012