April news!

We had a few events happening in April... On Saturday, 20th April, some of our students from Portarlington dojo participated in a tournament in Ardee organised by the Irish Wado-Kai Renmei, and under the direction of coach Sensei Paul Thackaberry, they did very well. Zanshin instructors Gerard Walsh and Proinsias Ó Fearghail assisted with the judging on the day, and can testify to the high standard involved! Here is young Oisín Henchy, Gold Medal Kata Champ!

On Monday, 22nd April, Ronan and Grace Moran graded before a panel of Zanshin instructors Gerard Walsh, Liam Darcy and Proinsias Ó Fearghail, plus guest examiner Sensei Gerry McCarthy of Edenderry Shotokan Academy. After a brief but challenging grading, Ronan advanced to Red belt and Grace to Green belt. Well done to them both!

Dan grade training

Every Monday night, those who have black belt grades (or those attempting black belt) are welcome to train in the Zanshin Kinnegad dojo between 9.30-10.00 (later sometimes!!). We concentrate on kihon and especially kata, bunkai and sparring. Please contact Liam or Proinsias (About Us page) if you're interested. This session is only open to karateka who REALLY want to train...it's not a killer session, but definitely not a talking shop!

Tournament Training Available!

Zanshin Karate Kinnegad: Training resumes this Monday, 8 April. IKFC tournament training  is available in Cloharinka NS (between Kinnegad and Edenderry) this Sunday 7 April from 1-4 PM. Cost €10.Well worth your while attending this if you hope to participate in tournaments.  If interested contact Sensei Gerry McCarthy at 0894598087.

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!