Meet the Irish world champion that you’ve probably never heard of

Limerick man Adrian Kearns is a world kung fu champion, but you’ve probably never heard of him.

In March of this year, Adrian won four gold medals and a silver at the Wushu championships in Hong Kong - a tournament which is regarded as the Olympic games of competitive kung fu.

However, modest Adrian's achievements went under the radar outside of his native city of Limerick - where he was lauded in the local media.

Very little national news coverage greeted his amazing achievement, though. In fact, no national newspapers or broadcasters picked up on his achievement at all.

Adrian's medal haul was the most successful ever by an Irishman at the Wushu International Dream Cup – the highest level kung fu artists can compete at.

The feat was even more astonishing considering Adrian was competing at this level for the first time. The tournament featured over 11,000 competitors from more than 55 countries.

“I didn’t know where I’d placed after I performed. Only when I finished competing did I find out that I’d gotten five medals. I just knew that I was performing stronger after each event,” he said.

Adrian came out on top in the double broadsword, fan, stick and imitation boxing form categories and claimed a silver in a group event of Choy Li Fut, Wing Chun and Baihe.

He was hand-picked for the multinational Hong Ying team by his teacher Mark Horton of the Plum Blossom International Federation - an organisation that has over 500,000 members worldwide.

Above: Adrian in sparring action.

Not one for chasing the limelight, the lack of coverage doesn't bother Adrian in the slightest.

He only wants to use his profile in the kung fu world to increase the popularity of the martial art in Ireland.

He says he views kung fu as a great way for kids and adults to keep fit and for communities to build relations, so he's putting his sporting prowess to good use by teaching all ages at a new school.

"Our Kung Fu style of Choy Li Fut emphasizes relaxed, internal power rather than stiff, muscular force. This is not only more effective in combat, but is also better for the practitioner's health as it develops the entire body," says Adrian.

"Hong Ying Limerick will be the first traditional centre for Chinese Martial Arts and Culture to be opened in the city and will not only be a centre for Martial Arts but a place for the community to exercise and learn about the traditions and culture behind the school," he adds.

Adrian will host the opening of the Hong Ying Limerick school on the Patrick's Road on September 27 next week.

"By opening the school I hope to give the same opportunities to the people of Limerick as I did in my Kung Fu teaching in the Netherlands under my teacher Sifu Mark Horton," says Adrian.

Adrian has been studying Choy Li Fut kung fu since 1999 and started at the Hong Ying school in the Netherlands.

Above: Adrian with the successful Hong Ying team.

- Hong Ying Limerick will be host the official opening of their new centre for Chinese Martial Arts and Culture. A number of martial arts experts will attend the event including Hong Ying Sifu Mark Horton, Sifu Tang and Sifu Fu who will all be travelling from Holland.

There will be a traditional Chinese opening of the school with Lion Dance and Kung Fu demos. You can visit their Facebook page here