Jack Woolley has successfully secured a position to compete in his second successive Olympics. After making history as Ireland’s first representative in the sport of taekwondo in Tokyo, Woolley is set to repeat the feat in Paris. The 58kg division competitor’s achievement contributes to Ireland’s total count of 12 disciplines for which it has qualified competitors, with 87 athletes so far confirmed for individual or team events.
Still in his mid-20s, Woolley attended the European Taekwondo Olympic Qualification tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, with the task of reaching the semi-finals to secure his spot for Paris. His victory in the 2-1 match against Albanian athlete Ernest Merdanaj ensured his successful qualification. With only 16 available places in each of the four weight categories, only the semi-final victors secure their ticket to the Olympics, meaning there was no final round at the Sofia tournament.
Last year, Woolley added a European Games silver medal to his achievements. This came from Poland, and now, his attention shifts towards Paris. At Tokyo, he held the sixth ranking in his division but suffered defeat in the first knockout stage against Argentina’s Lucas Guzman.
Ireland has achieved qualification in 11 various sports including athletics, boxing, equestrian, swimming, sailing, rowing, canoe slalom, gymnastics, cycling, rugby sevens (men and women), and hockey (men). Furthermore, Ireland potentially has a representation in badminton and golf if Nhat Nguyen, Rachael Darragh, and four golfers secure their qualification positions. As these events unfold, fans can stay informed through The Irish Times on WhatsApp or by signing up for push alerts. They can also listen in to the Inside Politics Podcast for further analysis.