LYNNE McIntyre did Leongatha proud after she brought home three gold medals early this year.
Lynne competed in the Eskrima event – a form of martial arts – at the World Championships in Cebu in the Philippines.
She has been interested in martial arts all her adult life and became the Australian champion in Taekwondo in 2004.
She qualified for the Philippines event in September last year, facilitated by her NDIS package.
In that time, she travelled to Frankston and Epping at least once a month to train for the big event.
Australia sent a team of 16 to the Philippines at the end of July and around 19 countries were represented.
Lynne competed in three events – Tradition Form, Knife Point and Padded Stick – and earned gold in each.
“When I won my first gold, I thought to myself ‘wow, I’m a world title holder’. It’s a surreal feeling,” Lynne said.
Australia finished fourth on the medal tally overall.
Lynne enjoyed two weeks in the Philippines, enjoying some sightseeing before and after her event.
She also had the opportunity to spend some time in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Lynne decided to try this form of martial arts after receiving advice from her taekwondo instructor.
“My taekwondo instructor had been to the Philippines and knew a little bit about this form of martial arts with a weapons component,” she said.
“I’ve been doing it since the lockdown in Melbourne three years ago and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“I started martial arts when I was in my 20s for the fitness. I like that you’re able to set goals for yourself and go up the belt ranks. It’s an individual thing, all about improving yourself.”
Lynne is currently a brown belt, working her way towards a black belt.
With this experience, she hopes to go into officiating and coaching in the future to pass down what she knows.
In the meantime, Lynne is looking forward to the next World Championship event.
The event is held every two years.
It is held in the Philippines every four years but is held in other places around the world every other year.
It is rumoured the event will be held in Los Angeles in 2026.
