Irish athletes go for gold as the epic World Inclusive Karate Championships take over Dublin this weekend

A GROUP of Irish athletes are going for gold at the Inclusive Karate World Championships in Dublin this week.

The team consists of athletes of all backgrounds and abilities, including members with spina bifida and autism.

The sixth Open Inclusive Karate World Championship will take over the DCU sports hall on Saturday 23 June.

And Team Ireland is calling for last-minute fundraising ahead of the games.

Helen Goodson Finglas is a Taekwondo instructor and special needs assistant and part of Team Ireland.

And she highlighted how martial arts can help people of all ages and levels improve their “balance, coordination and fitness” – and the games show that everyone can take part.

Helen said: “We are all martial arts. Inclusion means that everyone is welcome. No matter what you do or what skills you have.”

Ireland has a team of 66 competitors lined up for the Games, with each group receiving a special trophy for being part of the competition.

But they need to raise money to cover the costs of competing in the championships.

Helen said: “We have now come on board as Team Ireland but were very new to it.

“So we want to do our part and contribute medals, rental equipment and food the night before.

“We are brand new as an Irish team so we need to get new tracksuits and a lot of coaches too.

“We wear a Dobok. Most students have one, but we need to get some with the Irish flag and Ireland written on the back.”

And Helen isn’t the only one in her family to help, as her husband Anthony handles everything from logistics to photos.

Her three sons, who range in age from 15 to 20, are all volunteer coaches.

Helen, who coaches at the Rivervalley and Ashbourne Taekwondo club, praised the talent at her Dublin club.

She said: “We are home to several world champions, European champions. We are also home to Jenny Lehane, who just qualified for the Olympics.”

She also praised Anne Caulfield, one of the main organizers of the Inclusive World Championships.

Helen added: “Inclusion of Team Ireland is a new format for Taekwon-Do.

“We currently have four Taekwon-Do clubs involved, but we hope this is the start of something bigger and better for inclusive martial arts in Ireland.”

To date, the group has raised almost €3,000 for their charity.

You can donate to their GoFundMe here or to attend the event on June 23, visit I-Karate for tickets.