Graiguecullen’s Brian Keating makes martial arts history

LAOIS karate athlete Brian Keating made history recently when he won the IMAC (Irish Martial Arts Committee) 'Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year' Award at the IMAC Irish Martial Arts Awards in Dublin.

It is a momentous occasion for the sport right across Ireland as the Laois man's distinction marks the first time a karate athlete has ever won the award.

Keating's martial arts journey began at a young age, joining Carlow Martial Arts Sanctuary as well as studying Kung Fu under Sensei Brian Whelan. He now trains and competes out of Carlow Karate Club.

Keating's coaches - Brian Whelan, Patsy Whelan, Danielle Furey and Rachel Farrell - led a group of excited supporters from the club to the Lucan Span Hotel to see their teammate collect his prestigious award.

Sensei Patsy Whelan had the following to say about his decorated young student: “Brian’s dedication, discipline, and commitment to his craft have truly paid off.

"His performances in 2025 have set a new standard for Irish karate, and we are incredibly proud to see him recognised with this national award.” The 18-year-old from Graiguecullen, who attends Knockbeg College, currently holds a second degree Kyu brown belt in Wado Ryu karate, and produced a remarkable year of success in 2025.

Winning the IMAC Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year Award is not the first time Keating had been part of martial arts history.

The Carlow club man was part of the Irish team that won gold in the Senior Male Team Ippon Kumite (Open Weight) event at the IKU European Championships in Poland - the first time Ireland has ever won the title.

Keating and Ireland added to their medal haul by claiming bronze in the Team Kata event.

There was also Individual success at those Championships for the Graiguecullen man, winning gold in the Senior Male Individual Kumite (-68kg) and collecting a silver medal in the Individual Kata.

He also enjoyed a huge amount of domestic success in 2025, winning two Senior Male All-Ireland titles and multiple gold medals at the Irish Open, the Belfast Open and the Southwest International.

The highlight of the year, however, came when Keating returned to Poland for the UKF (Ultimate Karate Federation) World Cup, where he won his first professional fight and can now officially call himself a World Champion.

He now has his sights set on Slovenia in October where he will once again represent Ireland on the national stage as he aims to successfully defend his IKU World Cup title.

In the long term, Keating is targeting a career in the sport and sees professional karate as a real, viable option.

"I'd love to fight in Karate Combat in the future," he said. "That's top-level karate, and there would be good money to be made in that."

Keating would not be the first Knockbeg College alum to compete as a professional fighter in Karate Combat, with Eoghan Chelmiah from Arles a former champion in the organisation and currently the number one ranked fighter in the Bantamweight division.