by Dara McDaid, Inishowen Independent
THE Ulster Karate Federation travelled to Odessa,
Ukraine, last week to participate in the World
Senior and Veteran Championships. They competed
alongside other Irish karate organisations including
Carnalea, NKFI and KWKKA. Countries such as Brazil,
Argentina, France, England, Ukraine and many more
from every continent were present.
The UKF team got stuck into training as soon as they
landed as they got the opportunity to train with
Kendo Shibamori, the top Wado-Ryu Kata coach in the
world and they also trained with Christophe Pinna a
previous world champion.
Everyone attended the opening ceremony with a
wonderful showcase of Ukrainian talent, as well as a
spectacular martial arts demonstration. The
competition got under way on Friday morning with all
veteran events taking place as well as the kata
preliminaries. Saturday saw all the fighters take to
the mats for their qualifying rounds. Sunday started
of with a champion’s parade with all finalists
taking part, with all finals following.
Mary Doherty of Culmore karate club (Derry) started
of the medal haul taking bronze in the Female
Veteran Wado-Ryu Kata final. The Irish Kata team
also took bronze in the team event that morning
also; the team was made up of Denise Donaghey (Aileach
Karate Club), Mary Doherty (Culmore Karate Club),
Aoife Smith (Collon Karate Club). This was a
fantastic achievement for these ladies whose months
of training paid off. It is no mean feat that the
current World Champion team (Romania) and Previous
World Champions (Hungary) pipped them in the final
round. They will be hoping for competing for gold at
the European Senior and Veteran Championships in
Portugal in April 2010.
Shaun Barron of the Culmore Karate club (Derry) took
Silver in the Male Veteran Kumite Team event and
also Bronze in the Male Veteran Kumite Rotation team
event along side two members of KWKKA.
Columba McLaughlin (world referee), Denis Donaghey
(world judge) officiated at the event and along with
Mary Doherty have been invited to officiate at the
European Junior Championships in Romania in
September were the UKF will again compete. They will
be looking for fundraising shortly and any
sponsorship/donations will be greatly appreciated.
Other achievers from Ireland at the World
Championships were; David Bradshaw from Carnalea who
took Silver in the Male Veteran Wado-Ryu Kata,
Eamonn Yore who took Silver in the Male Veteran
Kumite Team event and also a Bronze in the Male
Veteran Kumite Rotation team event. Joe Smith of
NKFI was awarded the accolade of Chief Referee, one
of only 10 in the world, we congratulate him on his
achievement.
All in all it was a fantastic week away for local
fighters; they gained valuable experience that will
stand to them in further competitions. |
