Grading in Kinnegad!

On Monday, March 25th, students and parents in our Kinnegad dojo braved sub-zero conditions to attend a grading in Kinnegad GAA Centre. Students were tested for promotions for Red, Green and Blue belts. The grading panel comprised of Senseis Liam Darcy, Gerard Walsh, Keith Walsh and Proinsias Ó Fearghail from Zanshin Karate-Do, and guest examiner Sensei Gerard McCarthy, 4th dan chief instructor of Edenderry Shotokan Academy and a member of he Renshukan Shihankai (master's council). Also in attendance were Zanshin assistant instructors Ollie Henchy and Fergus Fenlon. We began with the orange belts who were hoping to achieve Red belt. They were tested on basics, kata and sparring with some bag-work. Well done to Conor Darcy, Liam Ó Fearghail and Luca Rocca who achieved Red belt on the night.
We then tested our more advanced students. Those present on the night could see the increasing complexity of requirements for higher belts. After a tough 30 minutes, the results were announced. Well done to Emmanuel Etcheri, Chloe Coyne, Cormac Ó Fearghail and Sean Govan who achieved Green belt and to Louise Darcy and Muireann Ni Fhearghail who achieved Blue belt. Senseis Gerard Walsh, Keith Walsh and Gerard McCarthy offered much valuable technical advice to our students to help them raise their standard. Well done to all, and a special THANK YOU to the parents who attended.Training will resume on Monday 8th April.

Grading Re-Arranged

Apologies to all parents and students from Kinnegad dojo regarding the sudden cancellation of class and grading today, Monday 11th. We felt that the snow and freezing conditions posed an unacceptable hazard to our students and parents. There will be NO CLASS on Monday 18th March (Bank Holiday). Training will resume on Monday 25th March, and the grading will be held then. The times on the 25th will be:
Junior Class: 7.00-7.45
Grading (Juniors) 7.45-8.30
Senior Class: 8.30-9.30
Black Belt Training: 9.30-10.00.
Please contact Liam or Proinsias if you have any queries.

Grading in Kinnegad

On Monday, 11th March 2013 Zanshin Kinnegad will hold a grading for junior students attempting to reach the ranks of Red, Green and Blue belt. Class will begin at normal time of 7.00 PM, and the grading will commence at 7.45 PM. The grading should be over by around 8.30 PM. Cost of grading is €15. People who are not grading will pay the regular class fee of €5. Please contact Liam or Proinsias if you have any queries.

Course and Grading in Belfast

On Sunday, 3rd March, Zanshin instructors Gerard Walsh and Proinsias Ó Fearghail attended a seminar and grading in Belfast. The grading and course was hosted by Sensei Artie Speight, 5th Dan, chief instructor of Renshukan Ireland. The main instructor on the day was Shihan Brett Halliday, 6th Dan, president of Renshukan International. Shihan Brett kicked off with some challenging kihon drills, designed to show the importance of hip rotation in generating power. He chose the katas Heian Nidan, Heian Yondan and Kanku-Dai to illustrate his points. A highly enjoyable Ippon-Kumite (one-step sparring) session followed, with everyone changing partners every few minutes to experience a range of different attacking styles.
A grading followed, at which Sensei Artie's students showed their mettle, displaying a great standard, especially at purple and brown belt level. Two of the Belfast students graded to Shodan, displaying a skill and spirit that would put many seniors to shame. To his great surprise, Sensei Gerry McCarthy of Edenderry Shotokan Academy was promoted to 4th Dan after a technically challenging grading, involving the performance of advanced kata and explanation of their bunkai (applications). Well done, Gerry! Also in attendance were Sensei Liam Gorman of the Irish Shotokan Academy and Sensei Darren Hand of Kyoshushin Ju-Jutsu. A highly enjoyable day was had by all! Many thanks to Sensei Artie and Shihan Brett for a really enjoyable day's training!