Bursary has been invaluable for rising Mayo sports star

For someone who only began karate three years ago, Natasha Reddington has made a name for herself very quickly.

The 15-year-old, who competes in kumite, made history in January 2025 when she became the first homegrown athlete of Mayo Karate Academy (MKA) to represent her country at the European Karate Championships, and her achievements in the last 18 months alone would be a career highlight for most.

She has won seven golds across events in the Irish Kenpo Karate Union, MKA Inter-Club, Ashbourne League and Mid-Ulster Karate events, six silvers across the Kata Nationals, North West Karate Open, Ashbourne League, Kumite Nationals and Scottish Grand Prix and two international bronze medals, one at the Scottish Grand Prix and another at the Central England Karate Open.

“I was delighted because I'm only after moving up to a new category as well,” Natasha told the Western People. “I've moved up to an older age category now in a new weight, so I'm only getting used to it. I was delighted. It was my first time going abroad this year and I already took home two really important medals.”

Her achievements saw her selected as one of the three Martin Sheridan Bursary winners last year. Given there is no funding available for karate, the bursary went a long way towards her being able to compete locally and abroad.

“It was so good to be able to receive that award, because there's no funding for karate,” said Swinford native Natasha, who has just finished her Junior Cert exams. “It really helped me with being able to afford new gear and go out to more competitions in Scotland and the UK and even go to training camps.

“It helped me to be able to register for the competitions and afford hotels and just get me there."

The most surprising factor about her success, however, is that she originally did not plan to take up the sport.

“It was originally only my two brothers who were supposed to start but I used to be watching them on a Wednesday, and my parents were just like ‘you might as well go in and give it a shot’. I went in and I loved it ever since and never turned back."

She credits the ‘huge, huge influence’ of Mayo Karate Academy founder Aaron McLoughlin for her passion for karate.

“He's taught me everything I know. I love the sport, the people, my coach, everything in general,” said Natasha.

She began entering competitions a year after she started, winning a silver and bronze on her debut, and after her second year competing, she became an All-Ireland champion after winning gold at the ONAKAI National Championships in Dublin.

Fresh from finishing her Junior Cert exams this month, she has more competitions lined up for later in the year, while her big target is another chance to represent her country at the European Karate Federation Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships in Armenia next year.

“I want to go out with the Ireland team a lot more. I've already competed in the Europeans with them last February but I'm hoping to put myself forward for the Europeans this February coming and I'm hoping to get selected.” 

The closing date for this year’s Sheridan McDonnell Mayo Bursary Awards is Friday, June 26. Forms and application criteria are available by email to sheridanmcdonnellbursary@gmail.com.