Kick-boxer Conor is clear-eyed and laser-focused on his stellar career

The Kildare man became a top fighter despite poor sight. Laser surgery means he no longer wears glasses or contacts in bouts

Conor McGlinchy: Laser eye surgery has been a 'game-changer'.

Conor McGlinchey has worn glasses for most of his life. This would not be extraordinary except the Kildare native is one of the finest kick-boxers in the world.

“I had myopia and I couldn’t see things that were far away,” says the 26-year-old. “In order to get me out of the house, my parents threw me into the local karate club. I took to it quickly, and by the time I was going to secondary school in Dublin, I progressed to a bigger club, called Tallaght Martial Arts. That really propelled my career, and that’s where things took off.”