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!

Orange Belt Grading, February 2013!

On February 11, 2013, six students from Zanshin Karate-Do Kinnegad graded from white belt to orange belt. This is the first grading of any karateka, and very important in that it shows that the students have shown the commitment and spirit to progress in our art. The students graded before Senseis Liam, Gerard and Proinsias and showed what they had learned in bag and pad work, kihon (basics) kata and kumite. The Zanshin instructors were very proud of the standard displayed by the students and all passed with flying colours! Congratulations to Kene, Michael, Sean, Shauna, Ella and Luca on their spirited performance. We're holding another grading in March for more senior students....but our new orange belts have certainly set a good standard to follow! Here are some photos....

Orange Belt Grading: Feb 2013 on PhotoPeach

Registration Reminder

All Zanshin Kinnegad and Portarlington 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 28th February 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 an instructor.

We're expanding!

This is just a short post to let everyone know that we have affilliated to the IKFC (Irish Karate Federation Commission). The IKFC organizes tournaments, coaching courses, international competitions, child protection courses etc. under the auspices of the Irish Martial Arts Commisssion, an affiliated body of the Irish Sports Council. Zanshin Karate-Do Midlands have taken this step to assure our members and parents of our continuing commitment to the highest standards in child protection and oversights. All IKFC tournament are run according to World Karate Federation rules and standards. We remain affiliated to Renshukan Karate-Do International in relation to syllabus and grading standards.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all Zanshin students, parents and instructors! Training resumes for Zanshin Kinnegad on Monday 7th January: 7.00-8.00 PM for juniors, 8.00 - 9.30 PM for seniors. Zanshin Portarlington resume training on Tuesday, 8th January 8.00 - 10.00 PM. We hope everyone had a great break and is ready for a busy year of gradings, tournaments and seminars! See you all next week!

Final class of 2012

Zanshin Karate-Do Kinnegad held our last class of the year on Monday 10th December in our dojo in Kinnegad GAA centre. The junior class kicked off with a demonstration for the watching parents, showing basics, padwork, kata, self-defence and sparring. Everyone put on a great show, and yet again, the instructors lost the Selection Box Challenge to the students!
Later that evening, Zanshin senior students John Whelehan, Aaron Darcy, Matthew Darcy and Peter Govan graded before a panel comprising Zanshin instructors Gerard Walsh, Liam Darcy, Keith Waslh, Proinsias Ó Fearghail and Paul Thackaberry. The lads had to demonstrate pad and bag work, basics, kata, kata applications (bunkai),prearranged sparring, semi free sparring and free-sparring (semi-and full contact). At the end of the grading, Peter advanced to green belt, John to blue belt and Matthew and Aaron to purple belt. Congratulations to them all on a great display of spirit and technique!


Merry Christmas to all our students and friends! Kinnegad resume training on the 7th of January, 2013!