International Japan Karate Association (IJKA) - Ireland

Last Sunday, Loreto Sports Complex, Fermoy hosted the Irish Open shotokan and Irish wheelchair karate championships 2007. The main event of the year for many participants throughout the country, Sunday’s all day event certainly didn’t disappoint. In all, no less than 250 karate competitors took part in both the kate (display of techniques done in sequence, performed individually) and kumite (fighting routines and self defence techniques performed with a partner) competitions. Karate clubs from as far as Galway and Donegal travelled down to put their skills to the test against the best in the country. Following the junior events, which proved to be very successful in both the individual and team events, the wheelchair and disabled, non-wheelchair competitors took to the floor. All throughout the day there was an infectious hum in the atmosphere, but once the- wheelchair competitors started to perform, there wasn’t a murmur to be heard. The level of respect and amazement was almost tangible from. all those in attendance who were privy to such a courageous and skilled sight.

Wheelchair karate is a semi contact art and is divided into three elements: kata, kumite and kihen (the practice and development of blocks and strikes). Fermoy was able to claim a winner on the day when Valerie Canning took second place in the kata competition.

Chief instructor and organiser, Brian Toomey (6th Dan) was delighted with the event. “The level of attendance and the standard of competition was very high. One of the key factors to this was the venue and atmosphere.” Brian who has been teaching karate to those who are disabled and wheelchair bound for the past number of years was especially delighted at the level of interest shown by the other clubs in incorporating it into their training systems.“It was a great way, not only to make the public and those who are disabled aware of the fact that they can take part, but also that the clubs and trainers can become more involved and do the same.” The senior events and medals ceremony concluded what was unanimously agreed as a very successful day.

ANOTHER IRISH TITLE FOR LAURA: Laura Daly took another Irish title at the IJKA Irish open karate championships in the Loreto Sports Complex, Fermoy last Sunday. Last year Laura took the junior kumite title and this year she added the junior kate title to her list of achievements. It was a very good day for the junior members of the club with Rachel Morrison finishing runner- up in the junior kumite event, Niainh Daly taking third place in junior kate and Caitlin Falvey third in junior kumite. Valerie Canning took second place in her senior kate event and third in kumite. Well done! DOUBLE FOR CONOR: Conor Sargent from Midleton whose father Niall is a founder member of Fernoy Karate Club took both senior black belt kumite and kate titles.

There were over 250 competitors from clubs all over Ireland competing and the standard of competition was excellent. Everybody was impressed with the facilities at Lore- to sports complex and there is a good chance that it will become the permanent venue for these championships. Thanks to Patsy Flynn and his crew.

Winners: at the Irish shotokan & wheelchair karate championships 2007 last Sunday at Loreto sports hail, Fermoy were, back l-r: Stephen Hanky (1st), Valerie Canning (Fermoy) 2nd, Timmy Sheehan (4th) and Valerie Doyle (3rd), Brian Toomey (Fermoy club chairman); front l-r: Frances Butler and Podge Deehan (joint 1st wheelchair). (S-d)

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