Galway’s Black Dragon Gym is celebrating success at the ISKA Irish Open Kickboxing Championships held in the Setu Arena in Waterford at the weekend.
Pete Foley’s kickboxers came away with five gold medals, including the 2026 Irish Open Champion, one silver and one bronze from his seven entrants who were among the 500 kickboxers at this major event.
Foley says one of the big stories at the event was the Sheppard family. Peter Sheppard and Whitney Sheppard, alongside their daughter Taylor Sheppard all won gold medals in their respective categories.
In addition, Erica McCallum and Giulia Comini also took gold, while brother and sister, Darren and Tiffany Van Strien, won silver and bronze respectively.
“To say I’m proud of my own fighters would be an understatement,” he says.
Foley says there were some 200 extra entries at the championships this year - more than 500 in total.
“This championship is growing legs, and is on track to be one of the most prestigious on the Irish and even world calendar.”
