Her Moves: Sadhbh O'Brien's Story

Sadhbh O’Brien is a 17-year-old student from Meath. Sadhbh is part of the Irish National Karate Team, she is a two time Wado European Champion and five time Irish Champion. We sat down with Sadhbh to ask a few questions about her story!

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When did you first get involved in your sport?

When I was 4, I used to participate in a fitness class called Fit Kids. After a few months of participating in this class, the instructor introduced a new karate class into his gym. My parents had decided to put me up for his first ever class. Since then, I have had a desire to progress in my karate journey.

Are there any other sport/activities that you did before the sport you do now?

Along with karate, I used to participate in athletics classes, swimming lessons, GAA, and I also tried out gymnastics.

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How has sport and physical activity impacted your life?

Sport and physical activity has had a massive impact on my life. It has led me to meet many new people, and to make many new friends. I also attend the gym multiple times a week. Including karate training and gym sessions, I always see an improvement in my mood afterwards.

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What is your favourite pre/post exercise snack?

My favourite pre-exercise or competition snack is always some sort of carbohydrate. The night before a competition I always have to eat a bowl of some sort of pasta dish. Just before competing or training, I like to have a small bit of sugar for a boost; like an energy drink, a bit of chocolate, or jellies. After training I always enjoy a high protein chocolate milk. Typically, I just eat whatever is at home but sometimes I have protein flapjacks.

Who inspires you to be active?

My coaches, friends, training partners, and parents keep me determined to stay active, although a major part of staying active for me is keeping my mindset positive. I also train in the gym with my gym partner/boyfriend Seán, who pushes me to my limits and to reach my full potential. I also like to watch videos of other top level karate athletes such as Yorgelis Salazar and Rafael Aghayev, to keep me motivated to train and to keep my mindset positive.

What does your school do to encourage an active environment?

My school provides many different sport activities for students. There are many different sports teams such as basketball, athletics, swimming, football, camogie and more. My school also holds a sports-day once a year in which every student takes part.

Who has been your most influential coach and why?

Realistically, I couldn’t pick my most influential coach. My club coach, Jimmy Harte has known me as a Karateka from the beginning of my journey, and he has always pushed me to reach my full potential. Sensei Jimmy has helped me with many things regarding karate trips and my mindset, and he had also encouraged me to achieve my black belt back in 2019. My kumite coach Rodolfo Rodriguez has been incredibly influential. Sensei Rodriguez is an amazing athlete himself, and he always pushes me to my limits. I always learn many new things from his classes and I have seen many improvements made in my fighting through his advice.

Have you noticed other girls your age stepping away from sport? If so, how does that make you feel?

Yes, I have seen many girls step away from sport. This makes me feel quite disappointed. I know that Covid-19 has had a major impact on that, which does not help, although I believe the number of teenage girls in sport will rise over the next few years.  

What’s your advice to someone thinking about dropping out of sport?

If you are thinking of dropping out of your sport, I would definitely recommend you don’t. If you are in a sport which you are not enjoying, I would recommend you try something new. believe dropping completely out of sport would be one of the worst things someone could do! When we exercise, chemicals in our bodies such as serotonin or endorphins are released, causing our mood to rise and to feel happy, and personally I feel I need this!

Is there any advice you have for parents trying to support their daughter participating in sport?

My advice for parents would be to try avoid pressuring or forcing your daughter to try a sport or to continue a sport in which they do not enjoy, instead encourage them to try something new.

Have you any advice for someone thinking of getting involved in Karate and how can they get involved?

If someone is thinking of getting involved in karate, please do! Karate is an amazing sport to have in your life. In karate, not only does one learn how to defend themselves, but also how to stay disciplined. Many different life skills are also learned in karate.

When is your next competition?

At the minute, I am unsure when my next competition will be. There have been a few abroad competitions mentioned or recommended for over summer, but there will be the Irish Open in October.

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Who is your female sporting role model?

I would like to say that my female sporting role model is Katie Taylor. I know that it isn’t karate that she does, but many things that Katie says could easily relate to karate as it is also a martial art. I love Katie’s mindset and determination and how she is still pushing herself to fight everyday, and to challenge new fighters.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself?

A fun fact about myself is that I always have to eat Skittles or drink Lucozade before a fight, or I feel won’t fight well.

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A special thanks to Sadhbh for telling Her Moves all about her story. If you have an interesting story to tell, please let us know. You can message us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter!

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