Naomi’s boxing clever

She’s fluent in a few styles, but this feisty kick boxer’s dream is to take part in the next Olympics, says David Young

WOMEN are finally being recognised for their boxing and martial-arts skills but many people believe ladies ought not to spar, let alone, bob, weave — and, heaven forbid — connect. Talents like Kerry girl Naomi O’Brien have blossomed, regardless.

“I was in fifth class when I started tae kwon-do (a Korean martial art). All my school friends in Tralee were doing it, and that got me interested,” says Naomi, 16. “And in a few years I’d taken up kick-boxing, and then boxing to work on my hands. And I got to really like it ... and the competitions.”