Maggie heads to Abu Dhabi for IMMAF World Championships

Maggie Meaney from Dyart, Killulagh, a 13-year-old rising star in the world of martial arts, will represent Ireland at the IMMAF World Championships in Abu Dhabi in August.

Maggie’s selection for the competition is a testament to her hard work and her dedication to her training, as under the guidance of her coaches at Relentless Martial Arts in Mullingar, she has honed her skills to earn a place on the international stage.

Recognising the lack of funding for MMA by Sport Ireland, Maggie took the initiative and set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe. She explained her situation, highlighting the opportunity to represent her country and the financial challenges she faced. The community responded enthusiastically, and Maggie raised more than €2,500, surpassing her target amount.

With financial support secured, Maggie expressed her gratitude and excitement. "This amazing opportunity shows that all the hard work and dedication to my training have really paid off," she said. "I can’t wait to represent Ireland and will try my absolute best to come back with a medal."