TUAM KARATE GRADING

A fantastic day was had by Faolchú students on Saturday, where Sensei Scott Langley 5th Dan JKS came down to test Karateka for their next belts, accompanied by his guest Sensei John Shanaghan 5th Dan JKS.
60 Faolchú students graded on the day, which is a huge amount from one club.

20 students from the Little Wolves where first up, these students range in age from 4 to 7 years old and are tested on basic kihon and kumite, with some more advanced performing Heian Shodan. As always the little guys brought their best and it is very rewarding to watch between gradings the personal advances that the children individually make. All children passed their belts and progressed forward.

Senior students classes followed with 40 students grading plus other guests training. Thanks to Marty travelling from Donegal and JKS Mayo students coming to train also.

As always training was challenging and left us trying to better master our art with lots to work on.

The grading was conducted by both Sensei Scott and Sensei John and was a strict grading as usual, with JKS standards being enforced. Thankfully all students advanced in belts and now have the challenge of the next belts to meet.

Although if we are to stay true to form I'm sure Faolchú will continue going from strength to strenght.

Many thanks to our grading instructors and most importantly all Faolchú students because with each and every student we couldn't be the successful club we are.

Some Events in the coming Weeks

There's plenty to be doing for those of us with free time on our hands over the next couple of months!
Masao Kagawa 8th Dan will be in Nottingham, UK on the 11th to the 13th of March.
The JKS will be having one of many open training courses in Dublin on the 26th of March, followed on the Sunday of the same weekend the JKS squad training in Moat.
Scott Langley will be teaching at an open course and grading in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo hosted by Alan Biesty on the 3rd of April.
Master Harry Thompson is having MVF's first invitational Little Dragons in Ballina also on the 3rd of April.
The Ardee Open mixed karate will be on the 16th of April, followed on the Sunday the 17th by JKS squad training in Dublin.
Scott Langley will be teaching at a course and grading in Athboy, hosted by Pat Murtagh.
On Sunday the 1st of May, the IJKA Open Tournament is on in Fermoy, Co Cork.
Should any of our students wish to attend these events please talk to one of your sensei for further details.
That should keep us busy for a while.

JKS Humbo Dojo Training

Members from Faolchú travelled to Dublin and the home of JKS Karate in Ireland for a training seminar with Robert Steggels 5th Dan JKS Scotland on Saturday 11th September.

It was a challenging day for both juniors and seniors, with the focus on compression and release of energy through stance and hips.

One of the highlights was the performance of Heian Kata on the spot. The challenge of never changing height and remaining in the one space while executing every movement from a kata was exhausting.

Sensei Robert Steggles to the fore instructing the Junior participants.
Myself in mid flow executing a punch.
Sensei Marie performing one of the many challenging drills on the day.

The Senior group having a laugh.

Thanks to Sensei Scott Langley 5th Dan JKS for providing such a great day and to Sensei Steggles for his enlightening instruction. Also a special thanks to the senior members of JKS Ireland who were so helpfull on the day Sensei John Shanaghan 5th Dan JKS and Sensei Koike 5th Dan JKS.

Abbeyfeale Training

I just wanted to say a thank you to Humphrey and Kay Doody and their club in Abbeyfeale for graciously allowing me to attend their grading seminar with Sensei Scott Langley 5th Dan JKS on Saturday 15th May.
I received a very warm welcome from all their members and a keen interest in how long the journey had taken me (2hrs 20min). I look forward to meeting my new friends again in upcoming Events.

Members of Faolchú attended the JKS Spring Championships on Sunday 16th and I will post a notice on this along with some photos later in the week.

Grading Application Forms

By now everyone who is eligible to grade should have received a notice about the up-coming grading on 19th June. If you have not please contact myself or Marie immediately.

It is important that the forms are returned with two passport photos.

As you can appreciate it takes some time for the JKS to process the applications and return your Grading Record book to us. It would be nice if everyone grading could receive their grading record book on the day and for this to happen we need the forms in this week.

For those not grading you are still encouraged to attend the Training Seminar with Sensei Scott Langley 5th Dan JKS before hand. It will benefit everyone to train with him even if you are only with us a couple of weeks.

We will send out letters of the Venue and the Times well in advance and also include a guide to proper conduct on the day in the Grading Hall, but for now keep free the 19th of June.