Meet Team Ireland - Jack Woolley (Taekwando)

He is ranked at nine in the world in his 58kg division

Jack Woolley in action against Matias Lomartire of Italy during the 2023 European Games at Krynica-Zdrój Arena, Poland. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Jack Woolley in action against Matias Lomartire of Italy during the 2023 European Games at Krynica-Zdrój Arena, Poland. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Jack Woolley

Age: 25

Event: Taekwondo (58kg)

Club: South Dublin Taekwondo

Previous Games: Tokyo 2020

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The Tallaght native became the first Irish taekwondo athlete to compete at the Olympic Games when he qualified for Tokyo, but his hopes of a medal were all but ended when he lost his opening bout to Argentina’s Lucas Guzman. Woolley was the victim of a brutal unprovoked assault by a gang in Dublin city centre soon after his return from Tokyo, but he was back competing within three months and earlier this year he secured his place in Paris. He is ranked at nine in the world in his 58kg division.

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan

Mary Hannigan is a sports writer with The Irish Times