A young Irish kickboxing team who took 15 medals at the WAKO World Youth Championships – with one teenager achieving double gold – has been hailed as an inspiration to young people and an example of resilience and community-building.
Ryan McConalogue, who turned 18 this year, won two gold medals for Ireland, becoming Double Junior World Champion in both the Light Contact and Kick Light competitions at WAKO 2026 in Jesolo, Italy. He trains in Coolock Village with the Irish Mugendo Kickboxing Association.
“Champion of the World! TWICE!! Ryan McConalogue takes the win and the podium. Top spot in Kick Light & Light Contact. He has fought his heart out and left everything on the mats,” Kickboxing Ireland said after his win.
Team Ireland took 15 medals in total at the championships, with Kickboxing Ireland saying the haul was a “phenomenal achievement for our Irish athletes”.
“Every medal represents years of dedication, commitment and hard work — and we couldn’t be prouder,” the sporting organisation said. “Congratulations to every single one of you. You are now part of Irish kickboxing history”.
Kickboxing Ireland listed the World Championship Medallists – with five Golds, four Silver and six Bronze achieved by Team Ireland in Jesolo.
That placed Ireland 16th in the World Rankings with 75 countries competing for the top spot, the association said.
The event, which is the official World Championship run by the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, took place from September 18th-27th and had 75 countries competing, including full national teams from all over Europe.
The clubs fund themselves with no central funding from the State for the Irish team attending the championships, and sponsorship proving vital to the efforts to get the youngsters there.
“It’s the equivalent of the World Cup for kickboxing, the highest level you can compete at as a Junior,” one fan who went to Dublin Airport to welcome the team home told Gript. “Everyone is so proud of what the Irish team achieved.”
For double Gold medallist and World title holder, Ryan McConalogue, the result was down to discipline and staying motivated despite the setbacks that arise for athletes. But he says that everyone feels nervous when it comes to the final fights at that level.
The commitment to early morning training, which escalated as athletes progress, takes a mindset of working towards your goal and the determination to succeed he told The Story Snug:
As he shared in his interview, Ryan’s dad, Liam McConalogue is also his trainer with the Irish Mugendo Kick Boxing Association – and he has been practising martial arts for 43 years.
“Ryan basically started age 4, he was in the Peewee class and came with me to the club. and he stuck with it and progressed over the years,” Liam told Gript. “He loves Gaelic and soccer too, but he made the time that’s required to get to this level and we’re all very proud of him, and of all the young people who participated in Jesolo.”
“Ryan medalled in the European Championships in Turkey in 2023, and now he’s won double at WAKO which is considered the most prestigious tournament, with 4,000 competitors participating last time.”
“He’s a humble young man, but he worked so hard, they all did, and that’s such an important part of human development and learning resilience – to win and to lose and to get back up and try again. It was an incredible moment.”
“On the way home on the plane, the captain of the flight made an announcement that some of the team were coming on board, and the passengers applauded them,” Liam said. “It was just a lovely moment.”
“Then we arrived at Dublin Airport and there was such a great crowd there to welcome everyone home. It’s a great inspiration for the kids who really look up to the older athletes, its such a positive message,” he said.
“People made banners to celebrate the wins and we’re so proud of everyone on the team. We hear too much negativity about young people and their flaws and bad behaviour – we need positive stories and to build young people up and applaud their successes,” he said.
“The message for the kids is that hard work and dedication and commitment pays off. Sticking at it is so important. There’s a great relationship in the clubs between the kids and the trainers, it’s a very positive, supportive environment,” Liam said. “Ryan is coaching now, and its about creating positive role models, passing it on and giving back.”
“It’s also a place for kids to thrive,” he added. “Not everyone wants to compete, it’s also about fitness, self-defence and a sense of community.”
“They’re off the screens, it’s good for body and mind, and there’s a great social aspect to it like every sport.”
“You see the top athletes at WAKO, they are totally committed to it, and it’s great to see them getting their rewards – but its also a community open to everyone,” he said.
At Arklow CBS, another medallist, Alex Whyte was honoured with a huge welcome.
“It was with great pride and joy that we stood outside today to celebrate the outstanding achievements of 5th Year student Alex Whyte. Recently, Alex represented Ireland at the prestigious WAKO Youth European Kickboxing Championship held in Jesolo, Italy and won a bronze medal,” the school said.
While the success of another gold medallist Lilly Cronin from West Cork featured in the Southern Star.