Ireland’s number one Modern Pentathlete and Rio Olympic Games medal contender Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe is among seven of Ireland’s leading sport stars who are in the driving seat to become Nissan Generation Next ambassadors.
The 23 year old from Kilkenny was one of hundreds of applicants nationwide who applied to the Nissan Generation Next programme which was developed by Nissan to support tomorrow’s leaders from all walks of life.
He is now one of 20 people who have been put through to the public voting phase to select ten Nissan Generation Next ambassadors who will each receive the keys to a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year.
Lanigan-O’Keefe was just 20 when he represented Ireland at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the Modern Pentathlon which was created to find the most “complete athlete” in sport combining the five diverse disciplines of fencing, swimming, riding, shooting and running.
“I have one goal – to win gold in Rio. There is not a moment in my day where I am not preparing for the start line. I train on average 30 hours a week. I am rising through the world ranks and I will take my place among the future generations of Irish sports stars,” he said.
He recently moved out of his apartment and into the basement in his mum’s house in order to meet the costs of realising his Olympic dream. He spends up to three hours each day driving to and from training at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Dublin, the only centre in Europe where training for each of the five disciplines is available on one site.
“Receiving support from Nissan for the year ahead would help lift a massive weight off my shoulders. It would free up some daily running costs and enable me to focus on the goal ahead.”
Lucan’s rising canoeing star Jenny Egan (28) has also been named on the Nissan Generation Next shortlist. She is also aiming to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games, recently claimed Ireland’s first ever medal at the Senior European Canoe Sprint Championship where she took bronze in the K1 5,000 metres event.
Killorglin’s Monika Dukarska (24) has also made the shortlist. She had no English when she moved with her family from Poznan to Kerry in November 2006 but has since gone on to achieve remarkable academic success in addition to qualifying for the Irish Senior Rowing Team in the Women’s Pair event.
Rower Paul O’Donovan (21) from Skibbereen also impressed the judges. He is seeking to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games alongside his elder brother Gary in the Lightweight Double Sculls. Having started rowing at seven years of age he has been on every Irish team since he was 14 years old. He won bronze at the U23 World Championship in 2013 and has consistently finished in the top four at world championship events.
Bray rugby star Jack Conan is also in the running to become a Nissan Generation Next ambassador. The 22 year old was recently named as Leinster Young Player of the Year and was one of two uncapped players included in the extended Ireland rugby squad for the 2015 Six Nations Championship.
Dublin woman Catherine McManus (23) is amongst those shortlisted in recognition of her ambition to secure Olympic qualification as part of the Irish women’s 4×100 metres relay team. She is balancing training with studying and recently received the Marketing Society of Ireland’s LePere award in recognition of academic excellence in marketing having graduated from Dublin City University first in her class with first class honours.
The final berth occupied by sports stars on the shortlist has been filled by Cork inter-county hurler Alan Cadogan (22). The cornerback from Monkstown was named Man of Match when he made his debut against Waterford in last year’s Championship and was instrumental in Cork’s success in winning last year’s Munster championship. The dual player also has a Munster U21 2014 Football Championship medal and Munster U21 Footballer of the Year title to his credit.
“We are delighted that so many of Ireland’s rising sports stars applied to become Nissan Generation Next ambassadors. The standard this year was exceptionally high and those who made the shortlist exemplify what the programme is all about. Their passion for sport and their commitment to succeed and overcome challenges is truly inspirational,” said James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.
Those who want to vote to support those named on the shortlist can do so online by visiting www.nissangenerationnext.ie and casting their vote anytime up to 6th July 2015.
