Christmas Demonstration and Guro Connaughton Seminar

On Monday, 12th December 2011, Zanshin Karate-Do Kinnegad held their last class of the year. We started off with a demonstration by our junior members, who showed their parents what they had learned over the past year in kihon (basic techniques), kata (prearranged forms) and kumite (sparring). The juniors showed great spirit and technique, particularly obvious in the "death match" between Hari Paul and Matthew Darcy, to decide whether the juniors or seniors should get this year's Selection Boxes. Much to the disappointment of Liam and Proinsias, the juniors won (yet again)!
At 8.00, the senior class kicked off. The class was given by Guro Donal Connaughton, a 4th degree black belt in Filipino Martial Arts, and a personal student of Grand Master Ding Llanera, the only Filipino grandmaster currently resident in Ireland. Guro Donal teaches FMA in St. Etchen's School, Kinnegad, on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and has instructed Liam and Proinsias in FMA for almost 5 years now. He taught various ranges of combat, from empty-hand to empty-hand (mano-mano) , defences against knife attack and defences against club/stick attack. Despite a power-cut, the class was a great success! Apart from the members of Zanshin Kinnegad senior class, the guests included Darren Smith of Midlands FMA club and Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick and Senpai Ciarán Stapleton of Mullingar Kyokushinkai Karate Club. An informative and fun training session was had by all, and at the end, the club presented Guro Donal with a certificate of appreciation. Here's a photo of the senior class after the seminar!

Thanks again to Guro Donal for instructing, and for Sensei Ken, Senpai Ciarán and Darren for coming along. Junior and senior classes resume in Kinnegad GAA Centre on Monday, 9th January 2011. Again, a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all our students in Kinnegad and Portarlington, our friends in Llanera Fighting Systems, the Irish Shotokan Academy, Midland Martial Arts Centre and Renshukan Martial Arts International.Thanks also to all the parents who drove our members to and from training, seminars, gradings etc. all year. Finally, thanks to Alan and Kinnegad GAA centre for the continued use of their facilities.

Christmas Demonstration and Seminar, 2011

On Monday, December 12th , 2011, Zanshin Karate-Do Kinnegad finish our year's activities with a demonstration by our junior students for their parents, showcasing some of what they have learned over the past year. The demonstration will take place in our dojo in Kinnegad GAA Centre between 7.00 and 8.00 PM. Cost is, as usual, €5 per student (parents and guests are free!). Please make sure that all students are at the club by 6.50 PM. We have a lot to get through and we would really like to finish on time.
From 8.00 - 9.30 PM, our senior students will have the benefit of training with Guro Donal Connaughton, a Guro Lakan Apat (4th level black belt) in armed and empty-hand Filipino Martial Arts. Guro Donal, who teaches Senseis Liam and Proinsias, is a personal student of Grand Master Ding Llanera, head of Llanera Fighting Systems, and is one of the highest ranked Filipino Martial Arts instructors in Ireland. We extend an invitation to all of our friends in Zanshin Kinnegad and Portarlingon, the Irish Shotokan Academy, Midland Martial Arts Centre and Mullingar Kyokushinkai Karate Club who wish to attend. The cost is €10 per person for over 90 minutes of expert instruction.
Finally, Liam and Proinsias would like to thank all of our parents and students who trained with us and supported us so enthusiastically through the past year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! Training resumes in Kinnegad on Monday, 9th Januray 2012, and in Portarlington on Tuesday, 10th January 2012.

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.

Seminar and Grading with Shihan Brett Halliday

On Saturday, 24 September 2011, Zanshin Karate-Do are pleased to present a seminar and colour belt grading in the Kinnegad GAA centre dojo. The seminar will be given by Shihan Brett Halliday (6th Dan) one of the highest-ranked Shotokan instructors in Ireland. Shihan Brett heads Renshukan Karate-Do Europe, to which we are affiliated. The cost of the grading and seminar is €15 (under 16s) and €25 (senior members). This includes seminar, grading etc. Liam and Proinsias strongly urge all Zanshin members to attend this seminar. The grading panel will comprise all four Zanshin instructors , Shihan Brett and some external examiners. Come and enjoy training at a higher level!Seminar and grading will run from 1.00 PM until 5.00 PM.

Course with Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick

On Monday, 8th August, Zanshin Kinnegad presented a course by Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick, 4th Dan Kyokushin Karate. Kyokushin is an extremely powerful style of full-contact karate, famed for its "knockdown" style of fighting. Sensei Ken, ably assisted by his black belts Senpai Alan and Senpai Ciarán started the junior class with a vigorous warm-up, using focus mitts as a target for a punch/elbow/knee combination. A lot of the drills that followed were lively and vigorous, using sparring drills and pad-work to promote spirit and good technique. We finished the class by demonstrating Taikyoku Shodan kata for our visitors. Sensei Ken subsequently commented on the discipline and good manners of our juniors - well done guys!

At 8.00, the senior class started. All our seniors were there, along with Sensei Keith and Senpai Fergus from our Portarlington dojo. Also present were Senseis Liam Gorman and Gerry McCarthy from the Irish  Shotokan Academy, Guro Donal Connaughton from Midlands FMA Club, and Sensei Darren Hand from Kyushoshin Ju-Jutsu. Ken, Alan and Ciarán presented a brilliant class, concentrating on techniques from Kyokushin sparring. We were especially impressed by the low kicking drills and astonished at the power that the visiting black belts could generate in their low kicks. Sensei Ken said that it takes two years to develop a proper leg-kick, and after trying it for ourselves, we believe him!
Next, the Kyokushin black-belts demonstrated some kata, including the famous "Sanchin Kata", and Senpai Ciaran showed us some bunkai (applications). The class finished up with some line sparring.
We were tremenduously impressed by the power, speed and technique of Sensei Ken and his students. Equally importantly, their friendly, approachable and modest demeanour marked them out as true gentlemen. They were fantastic ambassadors for their style and their club, and we hope to host them again before too long. The evening finished with a short presentation to Sensei Ken on behalf of the club.
Liam and Proinsias would like to thank Sensei Ken, Senpai Alan and Senpai Ciarán. We'd also like to thank our students, colleagues and visitors for making the evening a great success. You can see the pace of the evening in the following photos (note the steam and misted-up mirrors!)

(Sensei Liam, Sensei Ken, Senpai Alan, Senpai Ciaran, Proinsias)

Congratulations, Peter!

Senseis Liam and Proinsias would like to congratulate Peter Govan, who successfully graded to 9th Kyu last night. Peter was to have graded in March, but due to injuries, he had to postpone his grading. He has shown dedication and commitment to the art of Karate all year, and we were impressed with his spirit last night.
Here's a photo of Peter with some clubmates and Sensei Liam

Grandmaster Llanera Seminar

On Sunday, July 10th, Grand Master Ding Llanera gave seminar on various aspects of his Filipino martial arts system in Scoil Etchen, Kinnegad. The theme of the seminar was "Bridging the Gap" - how to apply the same techniques against attacks from various ranges: weapon to weapon, weapon to empty hand, hand to hand. The seminar was organised by Guro Donal Connaughton, a Guro Lakan Tatlo (3rd degree black belt) personal student of the Grandmaster's. Guro Donal is an honorary instructor and external examiner for Zanshin Karate-Do.
The group was divided in two, with Guro Donal taking the lakan (black-belt) grades through some new and challenging material, whilst the Grandmaster concentrated on the main group. Zanshin Instructors Liam Darcy and Proinsias Ó Fearghail, and Assistant Instructors Fergus Fenlon and Ollie Henchy, were present, as were Sensei Artie Speight and some of his students from Belfast, and Sensei Gerry McCarthy from the Edenderry Shotokan Academy. Many other arts were represented, including practicioners from Kenpo, Saykan and Ninjitsu. A great day was had by all and we all learned something new!

Summer Break!

Zanshin Kinnegad will be on a break on Monday 25th July and Monday, August 1st. Training will resume on August 8th with our seminar with Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick, 4th Dan Kyokushin. Please make a special effort to be there!

Kata Videos

Hi, folks: here are some videos that you can access which might help with your kata practice! They're being performed by Sensei Hirokazu Kanazawa, who at 10th Dan, is probably as good as you're going to get!

For brown belts....

And for black belts...

Belfast seminar and grading

On Saturday, 25th July, Proinsias visited Belfast, having been invited by Sensei Artie Speight for a seminar with Shihan Brett Halliday and for the chance to view a grading. After travelling back and forth across Northern Ireland, thanks to Proinsias's legendary sense of direction, we ended up at Sensei Artie's Newington Karate dojo. The day was absolutely fantastic, with a brilliant seminar from Shihan Brett, focusing on kumite techniques and kata applications. We then had a session with Hanshi Joe Carslake, where we learned just how painful Ju-Jutsu can be! We noted the similarities of the techniques shown to many contained within our own kata. Shihan Brett finished off with a careful analysis and repeated practice of the katas Heian Yondan and Jion. At the grading which followed, the young Newington karateka showed their spirit and technique, which was most impressive. I had a great day, and would love to see some Newington friends down in Kinnegad or Portarlington before too long. Here are some photos...

From top : with Sensei Liam Gorman, Irish Shotokan Academy,with Sensei Ken Keating (Ballinteer Kenpo), with Senseis Liam Gorman, Artie Speight and Brett Halliday. Many thanks to Sensei Gorman for sending on the photos.

Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick course

Sensei Liam and Sensei Proinsias are proud to announce that on Monday, 8th August, Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick (4th Dan Kyokushin) will be giving a course and demonstration of his dynamic art in Zanshin Kinnegad dojo. Sensei Ken is a 3 times British Middleweight knockdown champon, and is one of the highest ranked Kyokushin experts in Ireland. He has extensive experience of teaching children and adults in sparring and fitness techniques. The course will be from 7-8 PM juniors, 8 -9 PM adults. Cost will be €5 for juniors, €10 for seniors. Places are limited, so please contact Proinsias (0868341561) or Liam (0860744231) to book your place. This will DEFINITELY be a good one! All Zanshin members from Portarlington and Kinnegad are strongly urged to attend!

Grandmaster Llanera Seminar

All black and brown belts in Zanshin Karate-Do are invited to a seminar in Filipino Martial Arts held by Grand Master Ding Llanera in Kinnegad on Sunday 10th July from 10.00 AM-2.30 PM. The Grandmaster rarely organises seminars outside of Dublin.... so this is your chance! Contact Sensei Liam or Sensei Proinsias if you're interested. Cost is €25, and a €10 deposit is required... it's rare to get a chance to train with a Filipino Grand Master...if you can, come along!

More Photos from Moate!

Here are a few more photos from the ISA tournament, courtesy of Kinnegad karateka Peter Govan!

Back from the Tournament!

On Sunday, June 5th, a squad of 13 karateka from the Zanshin Kinnegad dojo attended a tournament in the Community Centre, Moate, Co. Westmeath, held to celebrate the 2nd anniversay of our friends in the Irish Shotokan Academy. The day was good humoured and action-packed, with great spirit and commitment shown by all on the mats. We won six awards (3 kata, 3 kumite), and while we were thrilled with this, we were extremely proud of the spirit and good behaviour of all our members. We all decamped to Supermacs afterwards for a post-tournament analysis! Congratulations to Matthew, Aaron, Conor, Daniel, Emmanuel, Emily, Grace, Louise, Ivan, Muireann, Cormac, Sean and Chloe! Senseis Liam and Proinsias are VERY proud of all of you! Many, many thanks also to the parents who helped by driving on the day, and also to Senseis Liam Gorman and Gerry McCarthy for inviting us. We had a great day!





Well done to all! vWe're taking a break tomorrow (6th June), but we'll be back on Monday 13th June.

Arrangements for Tournament!

We're all training at Sensei Liam's house on Friday night: Juniors 7-8 pm, Seniors 8-9 PM. No charge. Ring Sensei Liam at 086-0744231 if you need directions.
We're meeting at the gates of Kinnegad GAA pitch on Sunday 5th to travel to Moate. Tournament is in Moate Community Centre (half-way through town on left hand side as you come from Kilbeggan). If you haven't already paid the registration for the tournament, please bring €10 on the day. Also, bring sandwiches and plenty of drinks. Bring mitts if you have them. Suit and belt required.

Tournament in Moate Community Centre

The Irish Shotokan Academy have invited us to partcipate in their 2nd anniversary tournament in Moate Community Centre on Sunday, June 5th. We need to be there by 9.45 AM. You can partcipate in kata, kumite or both. If any Zanshin members are interested, please contact Proinsias by Monday, May 23rd. Thanks to Senseis Liam and Gerry for inviting us - we'll see you there! Cost is €10 per person.

Martial Arts for Tsunamai Relief - Report

Several members of Zanshin Karate-Do, including all four instructors, attended the Martial Arts Tsunami Support seminar on Saturday, 23rd April. We were pleased to see that both junior and senior members supported this worthy cause. Among others, we trained with Shihan Brett Halliday (6th Dan) and Sensei Artie Speight (5th Dan), and gained a new insight into aspects of our art. Grand Master Llanera was in flying form, and many other brilliant instructors were teaching on the day, including Sensei Maurice Oldridge (Karate-jutsu), Grand Masters Tommy Jordan and Peter Coyle (Kenpo), Sensei Ken Fitzpatrick (Kyokushin), Jay Daniels (Kickboxing champon) and Shihan Steve Byrne (Bujinkan Ninjitsu). All instructors proved to be absolute gentlemen, as well as great martial artists. It was a day to remember, and hopefully we'll be able to invite some of the aforementioned masters to give seminars in our dojo!
Remember: no training on Easter Monday. Training resumes on Monday, 2nd May at the usual time.

Mini-Tournament

We had great fun at our Mini-Tournament on the 18th of April! Students from Kinnegad and Portarlington dojos took part, and good fun was had by all! Remember, it does NOT matter who wins or who loses... it's the fighting spirit that counts, it's what Shotokan is all about. Senseis Liam, Gerry and Proinsias officiated on the night and were VERY pleased with the spirit displayed! Here are a few photos...

Easter Mini -Tournament

On Monday, April18th, Zanshin Kinnegad are running a mock-tournament in practice for the real thing! We will have individual and team kata, individual and team sparring! Senseis Gerry, Liam, Keith and Proinsias will judge the competition. Any of our friends from LFS and Renshukan Karate-Do Europe are welcome to attend (instructors can help with judging!) Good luck to all! We are NOT training on Easter Monday (25th April)

Martial Arts for Tsunami Relief

There is an allstyles martial arts seminar and family day being organised in Tullamore on Saturday 23rd April 2011. Kids who wish to partake in different martial arts styles and training pay €10, adults pay €20. Kids session is between 9.30 -11.00 AM, adults between 12.00 - 5.00 PM. Styles include Shotokan, Kenpo and Kyokushin Karate, Kickboxing, Aiki Ju-Jitsu and Eskrima. If you don't feel like Martial Arts, face-painting, kid's disco and magic show is available. If you're interested, please contact a Zanshin instructor. All fund go to Japanese Tsunami Relief. Many top masters will be teaching on the day. It's a worthy cause - if you have the opportunity, please support it! Our own top instructor, Shihan Brett Halliday, 6th Dan, and Grand Master Ding Llanera will be teaching on the day. Liam and Proinsias thoroughly recommend this!. Log on to Martial Arts for Tsunami Relief on Facebook to find out more...

Brown belt grading!

Congratulations to Zanshin Karate-Do assistant instructors Ollie Henchy and Fergus Fenlon who successfully graded to Brown 2 (Nikyu) last night. The grading took over an hour and a half, and comprised fitness and conditioning, kihon (basics), kata, kata applications, defence against weapon attacks, five-step, one-step and semi-free sparring and of course plenty of jiyu kumite! (free sparring). The panel of Zanshin instructors werte very impressed with the levels of physical fitness and technical expertise displayed. The lads are well on their way towards achieving their shodan level. Here are some photos...

Congratulations on promotions!

Congratulations to all those from Zanshin Karate-Do who graded last night, Monday, March 7th. 25 students from our Kinnegad and Portarlington dojos tested in front of a panel of ZKD instructors (Gerard Walsh, Liam Darcy, Keith Walsh and Proinsias Ó Fearghail) with guest examiner Guro Donal Connaughton from Llanera Fighting Systems. Great spirit was shown by all candidates on the night, and we were impressed with the level of skill displayed. However, we have no time to rest on our laurels, there is much room for improvement! See you all in the dojo next week..,.

March Grading

Zanshin Karate-Do Midlands are holding a grading in their Kinnegad dojo on Monday, 7th March 2011 starting at 7.00 PM sharp. Students from Kinnegad and Portarlington (junior and senior) will be graded on the night. Grading fees are €15 for junior members and €25 for senior members. It is important to note that NO-ONE will be graded who is not wearing a white karate-gi (suit) on the night. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Train hard, especially in kihon (basics) and kata. Instructors will let those whom they deem ready for grading know in the next two or three weeks. Attitude, commitment to training and mastery of technique are the criteria we use. If you miss a grading this time, don't be disappointed - you'll have another shot soon enough! Remember, a belt means very little - it's what you can DO that counts!

New Arrival!

Congratulations to Fergus Fenlon (Assistant Instructor) and his wife on the birth of their new daughter Maggie Mae! She'll be training in no time, no doubt!

Welcome Back!

Zanshin Karate-Do Kinnegad resume training on Monday, 10th January 2010 at 7 PM. Zanshin Portarlington returned on Tuesday 4th January. Liam and Proinsias hope that everyone had a great Christmas, and are ready to work hard in 2011 - we have a grading scheduled for March, and hopefully, we'll fit in a tournament or two before the summer.
It is obligatory for any student who wishes to grade or to participate in a tournament to get a karate gi (suit). These are available in Elvery's in Mullingar, but if you can't find one that's right for you, please speak to an instrucor - we'll order one for you. If you're getting a suit, please try it on first - it should allow plenty of mvement, and the trouser legs shouldn't reach any further than your ankles. Don't spend huge money on a heavy canvas suit if you're a beginner - a lightweight cotton suit is perfect..