It’s not every day that you meet someone at the top of their sport. It’s not every day that you meet a world champion. But one DMU student is exactly that – three times over – and has paid tribute to DSU for their part in helping her career.
It’s not every day that you meet someone at the top of their sport. It’s not every day that you meet a world champion. But one DMU student is exactly that – three times over.
Maddison Moore, 20, is a second year performing arts student at De Montfort University and is a three-time world, two-time European and BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Karate champion and has paid tribute to De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) for their part in helping her career.
Maddison, from Blakedown near Kidderminster, was first named World Union Karate-do Federation World Champion in the 15-17 category in 2012 and won a European title in front of a home crowd in London’s Docklands late last year. She then added the BUCS title to her impressive list of achievements in March 2015 before heading to Slovenia in October to regain her Senior Kumite under 55kg belt.
But what does it feel like to become world champion? “I cried, I am not going to lie to you!
“It’s an overwhelming feeling to win a competition like that.”
Maddison during #ThisGirlCan week at DSU.
Maddison is coached by her father Bradley and trains every day. She explained: “I do different exercises every day so there are different amounts, but a normal day would be a 6.30am start to get into the gym until about 7.30am.
“Then I usually do a late night session for two, maybe three hours.”
And that’s where DSU’s Sports Development team come in. They have awarded £550 a year of funding to three individual BUCS champions, including Maddison as well as Ricky Millar (K1 Sprint Canoe Champion) and Niamh Bailey (Heptathlon Champ) to help towards training and transport and any other additional costs.
Ross Harrison, Sports Development Manager at DSU, said: “You could say it is unprecedented as we have never had three BUCS champions in the same year at the same time.
“It shows how hard you have to train to become a champion and it just goes to show that you can still be a champion and gain a degree if you are willing to put in the work.
“Each of the champions gets £550. It is more for coaching costs and transport and other things like that which are really important but soon add up.”
Maddison said: “DSU get me a gym membership as well as covering transport costs and some training costs so it has been really helpful. It is vital funding.”
So what next? “I really enjoy winning as I am really competitive. Karate is a fighting sport and there are loads of girls who properly compete so there is that adrenaline rush, although it does feel a bit lonely [to represent DMU individually]!
“Unfortunately Karate is not recognised by the Olympics and because of that it is really hard to become a professional – and that’s why this money is so helpful. But one day I hope to coach the first ever Olympic champion.”
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Main Picture (L-R) - DSU Sports Development Administrator Sam Davis, VP Welfare Keira Rounsley (back), Maddison Moore (front) and VP Student Activities Dan Winney.