Dan Gradings in Midlands Martial Arts Centre

On 3rd December, Shihan Brett Halliday tested Renshukan instructors Sensei Gerard McCarthy, Alberto Candeias (Irish Shotokan Academy) and Proinsias Ó Fearghail (Zanshin Karate-Do)  as they attempted to reach their next level in Shotokan Karate. After a grading which ran from 2.00 PM to 4.30 PM, Shihan Brett awarded Shodan to Sensei Alberto, Nidan to Sensei Proinsias and Sandan to Sensei Gerry. He was joined on the grading panel by Senseis Liam Darcy, Gerard Walsh and Keith Walsh of Zanshin Karate-Do and by Sensei Liam Gorman of the Irish Shotokan Academy. The grading comprised assessment in fitness, kihon (basics) Kata, Kata Bunkai (applications), self-defence techniques and Kumite (sparring). Many thanks to Shihan Brett for his useful and constructive advice after the grading, and to Sensei Darren Hand who acted as uke for Sensei Gerry. The training continues as we try to improve! Here is a photo of the happy and relieved candidates with the grading panel.

Renshukan Tournament 2011

On 12 November, 2011, a squad from Zanshin Kinnegad travelled to the Renshukan (Ireland) U-18 tournament in the Midland Martial Arts Centre, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The tournament was well-attended, with children and teenagers from Tullamore, Edenderry and Kinnegad dojos taking part. We started at 11.00 AM and finshed 5 hours later, after a busy day of sparring, individual kata and team kata.. We were delighted at the success of our Zanshin students, who won medals in 10 categories. As we have often said before, however, while it's nice to win medals, what we were really proud of was the spirit and discipline shown by all squad members - well done guys, we're VERY proud of all of you! Here is a photo taken at the beginning of the tournament - as you can see, it was well attended!

We were well-served with referees and officials on the day, with Senseis Liam Darcy, Gerry Walsh, Keith Walsh, Gerry McCarthy, Liam Gorman and Proinsias Ó Fearghail acting as referees, ably assisted by Zanshin senior members Fergus Fenlon and Peter Govan, who acted as scorekeepers and timekeepers. Thanks a million, gentlemen - it made all the difference! Thanks especially to Senseis Gerry McCarthy and Liam Gorman who made their purpose-built Martial Arts Centre available for the tournament, and to Sensei Darren Hand, who thoughtfully turned on the heat for us in the morning (we didn't need it as the day went on!) . Many thanks also to all the parents who drove our students to the venue and stayed to cheer us on - it's great to have that level of support. We all decamped to Burger King after the event, fot a well-deserved meal. Here is a photo of the Zanshin squad at the end of the tournament.

 Again, well done everyone! See you all on Monday for training! You can see more photos on our "Photos" page.

Renshukan Tournament Saturday 12 November 2011

All Zanshin Kinnegad members participating in the Renshukan tournament in Tullamore are leaving from the GAA centre at 9.15 AM on Saturday morning. Please bring your suit, mitts (if you have them) entry fee (€10), a packed lunch and drinks. We are LEAVING at 9.15, so please be there on time.We should be finished around 3.00 PM.

Hallowe'en Closure

Zanshin Karate-Do Kinnegad will be closed on Monday 31 October for Hallowe'en. Training resumes on Monday, 7th November. We will be training hard for the upcoming Renshukan tournament, so practice your kata during the mid-term. We will be having a "mini-tournament" in our dojo on the 7th to prepare for the main event! Enjoy the break, practice your kata and don't eat too many sweets!

Renshukan (Ireland) Under-18 Tournament!

We are hoping to enter the Renshukan (Ireland) u-18 tournament on Saturday, 12th November 2011. You can enter in kumite (sparring) , kata, or both. Cost is €6 for one event or €10 for 2. Please let Sensei Liam or Sensei Proinsias know if you are interested as soon as possible! The event will take place in the Martial Arts Centre, Tullamore at 10.30 AM. Adult members and parents who want to help with lifts etc, will be very welcome!   This will be a GREAT event, so please come along and support us! Thanks to Senseis Gerry McCarthy and Liam Gorman, who have made their dojo available to host this event!

Registration Reminder

All Zanshin Kinnegad members are reminded that registration fees are now due. We charge these fees annually to pay for the club's insurance. All members must pay the registration fee by 24th October in order to be allowed to continue training with the club. The fees are as follows:
1 child/teenager: €15
2 children/teenagers: €30
3 children/teenagers: €40
4 children/teenagers: €50
Adult members: €20
You will be asked to fill out a registration form, giving mobile numbers, email address (if you have one) and details of any health problems or medical conditions that we should know about. You will also be given a copy of the club rules, and asked to sign a statement saying that you agree with them. If you have any queries, please talk to Senseis Liam or Proinsias.

One Year Old! Seminar and Grading with Shihan Brett!

On Saturday, 24th September 2011, Zanshin Karate-Do Kinnegad presented a seminar and grading with Shihan Brett Halliday, 6th Dan, as an occasion to celebrate our first year anniversary. The course was attended by Zanshin members from Kinnegad and Portalington, and some distinguished friends of ours from other dojos, among them Senseis Gerry McCarthy and Liam Gorman from the Irish Shotokan Academy, Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick from the Mullingar Kyokushinkai Karate club, and Guro Donal Connaughton from the Midlands Filipino Martial Arts Club.
Shihan Brett kicked off at 1.00 PM with a seminar for our junior members. He explained the basic blocks, punches and kicks of Shotokan in a clear and authoritative manner, while injecting some humour into the proceedings. This was followed by a grading, which to our great delight everybody passed. Shihan Brett commented most favourably on the attitude and standard of our juniors.

Our junior members, before and after the grading! We're VERY proud of them all!
At about 2.45 PM, the senior class started. Shihan Brett took us through the Heian Nidan kata. He went through the kata several times, stressing good techical form, especially on back stances and "gyaku-hanmi" hip position. He then took us through some bunkai (applications) from the kata, using Senseis Liam Gorman and Proinsias as "ukes" (human punchbags) to the great enjoyment of the student body! He finished the seminar with some Ippon Kumite drills and some light free sparring. A grading followed, in which all senior students from Zanshin Kinnegad, along with Brian Bolton and Jim Zeches from Zanshin Portarlington participated and passed. Again, Shihan Brett commented favourably on the attitude and standards of our members, which made us very proud. Here are the seniors after their grading...

Senseis Liam, Proinsias and Keith would like to thank Shihan Brett for providing such an enjoyable and informative course. We would also like to thank Zanshin assistant instructors Ollie Henchy and Fergus Fenlon for helping out on the day, and Senseis Ken Fitzpatrick, Liam Gorman and Gerry McCarthy, who along with Guro Donal Connaughton sat on the grading panel with Shihan Brett and the three Zanshin instructors (Sense Gerry Walsh was called away at work). Here are the black belts with Shihan Brett...

Left - Right: Keith Walsh, Liam Darcy, Gerry McCarthy, Shihan Brett Halliday, Donal Connaughton, Ken Fitzpatrick, Liam Gorman, Proinsias Ó Fearghail and Peter Maye.
Again, many thanks to Shihan Brett and a big WELL DONE to all our members, junior and senior - you were great today! A big THANK YOU to all the parents who showed their support by attending.