17th November 2017

Former karate prospect Emelye O’Brien is relishing her debut at this weekend’s French Open in Paris.

Teenager O’Brien joined the Manchester-based Academy earlier this year as one of 14 graduates in a new Fighting Chance Talent ID initiative.

Last month the group’s progress was assessed and the 19-year-old from Yorkshire was among those who were chosen to remain.

“I have never felt so scared at a meeting in my life,” said Emelye, one of 13 athletes competing in the French capital tomorrow. (Saturday) “I couldn’t get my words out.”

“It was the most nerve-wracking thing I have ever done. So, it was the best feeling ever when Gary Hall (GB Performance Director) told me I had been successful.”

“I have more adapting to do because I am nowhere near the finished article,” said Emelye who joins Londoner Isobella McNeish fighting in the -57kg division.

“But I feel like I have progressed since moving over from a different sport.”

Emelye, a former European karate gold medallist, took up martial arts at the age of four. “I was really shy as a kid, even more than I am now,” laughed Emelye.

“My dad, Shaun, took me because he was into karate. I remember I used to go and cling to his leg.”

The French Open A Class tournament is her biggest event since joining the Academy.

“The aim now is to build up my rankings points and start being able to medal. I don’t want it to take too long.”

Also looking to end her competitive year on a high note is Jade Slavin in the +73kg division.

“The London Grand Prix gave me a lot of confidence as I feel like I performed really well,” said the County Durham fighter.

“This year the goal was to make it into the Grand Prix series and I’ve done that so hopefully next year I can make the final.

“I’ve slowly climbed my way into the top 32 and now I’m considered ‘up there’ with the best is a great feeling.”

Schedule:

Male:

Saturday, (November 18)

-58kg: Hassan Haider (Falkirk), Luke Jones (Flint)

-68kg: Bradly Sinden (Doncaster)

-74kg: Jacob Barnett (Bradford), Christian McNeish (Plaistow)

-80kg: Damon Sansum (Elgin)

+87kg: Jonathan Bangura (Forest Gate), Mahama Cho (Stockwell), Jack Spall (Attleborough)

Female:

-49kg: Taylor Goodall (Knowsley)

-57kg: Isobella McNeish (Plaistow), Emelye O’Brien (Bradford),

+73kg: Jade Slavin (Consett)