Tullamore's Marie wins double gold at European Jiu-Jitsu championships

Tullamore's Marie Kennedy is celebrating a double gold medal success at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) European championships in Rome at the weekend.

Hailing from Daingean, Marie has been working, coaching and training at the SBG martial arts school in Tullamore since 2013.

A brown belt under head coach Kieran Davern, Marie travelled to Rome last Wednesday to compete in the prestigious IBJJF European championships.

She competed against other ladies in her division over 60kg, and became the first ever woman, and first ever person in Offaly, to win gold in not one but two categories.

Marie is the coach of SBG Tullamore's children martial arts programme which caters for children from 4-15, teaching them not only martial arts but how to be a good teammate, confidence and social skills.

She also runs a ladies-only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and self defence class which offers self defence training to local women.

"We are so proud of Marie and everything she has achieved," said Jamie Davern of SBG Tullamore.

"Marie is an exceptional coach, training partner, mother to Calvin, work colleague and friend. She spends the majority of her time in the gym, training and coaching.

"Her future is very bright and we cannot wait to see what it holds for her," he added.