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Irish "predestined" for future Olympics ———————————————————— By Sgt. TIM USREY Inside the Turret sports writer ————————————————————- Most children of military parents be come accustomed to leaving a post every two or three years for a new assignment But frequently changing environments can have a positive effect. At least that’s how 15 year-old karate stand-out Elizabeth Irish feels.
After winning numerous medals in the last three years, including a Silver in fighting and a Bronze in weapons at the 1995 Junior Olympics in Florida, Irish is leaving Fort Knox July 2 for Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. According to instructor John Harris, who is contracted by Fort Knox to teach karate at Devers youth center, Irish will be sorely missed. He also said Irish is "predestined to be of the best in her division and will he called for Olympic try outs when she reaches the minimum age of 16. "She doesn’t realize what she’s accomplished here," said Harris of Irish’s three and a half years at Knox. "You just don’t go from 10 to 15 years-old and win all those medals. It’s hard to get a person to understand that." Irish’s laundry-list of accomplishments include: A Bronze in fighting and 4th place in Kata during the 1994 National Karate Tournament. A Bronze in Kata and 4th in fighting at the Nationals in 1995. A Bronze in fighting and 4th in Kata at the International Karate Tournament held in Hawaii in 1995. Gold Medals in Kobudo, fighting, Kata, and team kata during the 1995 Regional Karate Tournament. ‘She will be capable-of joining the Olympic team if she has the desire to compete," said Harris. "Right now, she has intensity, enthusiasm, and desire. It’s her feeling that sets her apart from other competitors. "The top competitors in the nation now know her name. That may seem old hat to her, but I could only dream of that when I was her age. "In five years, she will be an ‘A rated’ (nation ally qualified) referee, and will be No. 1 in her division." As for leaving, Irish seems comfortable with the pending move. But Harris feels different I don’t want to see my baby go," he said. "She was my very first student and has been helping me mold the younger ones. "It will always impact a school when someone of quality leaves." |
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‘I'm used to
moving," said Irish. "But f I hadn’t been here, I would have no idea of what
karate was."