NEWSLETTER July 1998
The Club would like to congratulate the following who made up the Seidokan Ireland Squad as part of the Ulster Karate Council Team to the World Karate Confederation (WKC) European Championships 6-7 June:
Martin Rice : QUB Seidokan
Conor Allen : QUB Seidokan
Steve Taplin : formerly Kent University Seidokan Kumite Coach
The boys achieved a bronze in the Shobu Ippon Male Team Event, losing out in a hard-fought battle to the 'German Giants' in the finals.
This achievement marks the Club's first competitive success on mainland Europe and a phenomenal achievement for two Club fighters to be selected to represent Ireland as part of the UKC delegation.
The Club was delighted to host an International Martial Arts Conference conducted by renowned martial arts master Roy Jerry Hobbs.
Further details of Sensei Hobbs may be found on the following web-site :
http://www.angelfire.com/in2/Dentokan/
This was the first time that Shihan Hobbs' conducted a martial arts seminar in Ireland and his reputation attracted dedicated martial arts experts from a diverse variety of martial arts.
Hobbs Sensei awarded the following grades to Club members:
Fiona and Damien - 1st Dan
Well done to both! Fiona is now the first woman to have achieved Black
Belt status within the Club and is the highest graded female Seidokan
practitioner in Ireland. Damien's kumite ability has ear-marked him for
the UKC Squad to represent Ireland in the WKC World Championships in Germany
next summer!
Sheena - Brown Belt
Maureen - Blue Belt
Tristan - Yellow Belt
Great result guys!
Hobbs Sensei's practical focus and genuine personality made for a resoundingly successful seminar, thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. The Club would like to express our sincere gratitude to Hobbs Sensei for honouring us with his presence and sharing over 40 years martial arts experience with us and the other congress participants.
