Silver in the Irish Open for cool Marcus
ARTS
CLUBS from as far away as Canada, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Scotland, Belgium, Wales, Luxembourg, England and all over Ireland, came together to compete at this years ONAKAI Irish Open last week.
In all, 443 competitors, including Dundalk Karate’s Liam Hoey and Catherine Marcus, descended upon the National Indoor Arena where they competed in two disciplines, Kata (form) and Kumite (fighting).
Having trained continuously over the past few weeks and months, Liam and Catherine certainly thrived at this International Competition.
First up to compete in the very first category of the day, was Catherine Marcus, and with everyone in the National Indoor Arena, Dublin suddenly paying TWO local swimmers helped the break a swimming world record recently.
Patrick Harmon and Donal Carthy, who compete nationally for ADSC Dundalk Swim Club, were part of a hundred strong group of Irish Swimmers who celebrated National Swimming Day by breaking the Guinness World 100 x 50m Relay record at the National Aquatic Centre.
The 100 swimmers set a collective time of 46 minutes 38.04 attention and looking to see who was competing and scrutinizing what Kata they were performing, Catherine didn’t let this added pressure get to her.
After completing her Katas and having reached the final in her category, Catherine was awarded a Silver Medal to rapturous applause from all watching.
Following closely in his Kata category, was Liam Hoey, and with numerous competitors from Belgium, Wales and England in his category, Liam certainly took to the tatami matts like a pro, but he was unfortunate this time round and narrowly missed out on a medal.
Kumite was next in line for both Dundalk Karate competitors, and with Liam up first this time round, and with yet another huge category, Liam certainly more than seconds breaking the previous record by over 9 minutes!
Ireland’s fastest ever female swimmer Danielle Hill led off the relay with Bangor swimmer Jack McMillan bringing it home. The team of swimmers aged from 15 – 60 included national squad members, club swimmers, masters, open water swimmers and water polo players coming together from all four regions!
Participants raised in excess of €10,000 with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society and Northern Ireland Hospice. Angela Callan, wife of the late Peadar Callan, with Gene McMahon, Peader’s lon- standing best friend. held his own.
With a delighted Sensei in the sidelines coaching Liam, everyone was thrilled with his performances in which he never gave his competitors any leeway, but kept all under pressure and even though he missed out on a medal, everyone watching commented on how much Liam has improved over the past few months and is certainly one to watch over the next few months and years.
Last to compete for Dundalk Karate in Kumite was Catherine, and to see her also strive forward in her category against competitors from Belgium and Ireland, her hard work paid of and gained her a Bronze Medal.
Afterwards, Head of Dundalk Karate, Sensei Mary Marcus 2nd Dan said: ‘Seeing Liam and Catherine’s hard work paying of on the tatami matts is what its all about. Medals are only an added bonus, but it takes hard work and dedication to be able to step out in front of so many people at an International Competition and hold your own.
‘Congratulations to both competitors, OSS.’
If you would like any information on Dundalk Karate you could either pop along to the Redeemer Family Resource Centre any Monday or Thursday from 7pm to 8pm or for their All Inclusive Karate Classes every Tuesday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
or you can contact Sensei Marcus on 086 353 1625 or by emailing her at karatequeen@ live.com. THE curtain came down on the Peader Callan Summer Snooker League as a great crowd packed into the Commercial Club for the trophy presentation.
Award winners:
•Names are now being taken for a new league starting in October. Call into the Commercial Club to register.