Dundalk Karate Club hit heights
1 Coloured River won in 28.67 for Audrey Burney
2. Blame The Game won in 18.56 for Martin Lanney
3.Bellmore Scholar won in 28.69 for Fiona Scullion
4. Maytown Ned won in 21.82 for Peadar Woods
5.Tammen Tucker won in 28.95 for Ambrose Quinn
6.Rollo won in 21.77 for Damien Mcginn 7.Westway Hector won in 29.03 for Daminn Maginn
8.Matching Mia won in 29.64 for Willie Mullan 9.Rockcliffe Alfie won in 29.35 for Sean Browne
1. Fridays Betty won in 29.09 for Paul Whyte
2. Berretta Womack won in 21.60 for Michael Kelly
3. Slip The Lemon won in 21.84 for Marina Mckeown
4. Highgarden Rosie won in 29.86 for Peter Thompson
5. Unlikely Ranger won in 19.37 for Willie Mullan
6. Whazzis won in 21.87 for Laurence Jones
7. Going Green won in 29.46 for Colin Farrelly
8. Colarhouse Sonny won in 28.89 for Jason White
9. Tahina Matthew won in 29.43 for Vera Croakin
10. Kylemore Cars won in 21.98 for Liam O Rourke
11. Kilcarn Bubby won in 29.30 for Seamus Lanney
LOCAL club, Dundalk Karate made headlines yet again at the Annual Karate Ireland Open National Championships which were held in the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.
With over 700 entries and with clubs from all over Ireland in attendance, the local club showed that they may be small in number, but definitely big on determination and talent.
First to the tatami matts was Gemma Kelledy, and with the National Sports Campus slowly filling up with spectators and competitors it was time for deep breaths and a final note of direction from Coach and Head of Dundalk Karate, Sensei Mary Marcus 3rd Dan. With her focus on the task ahead, Gemma with a determination of any Karate-Ka pro walked onto the matts and called her Kata.
With fellow members, family and friends watching from the sidelines Gemma thrived and give it everything, and with numerous other competitors in her category time flew by and with the final scores read and the results in, it was with rapturous applause that Gemma was awarded a Gold Medal.
Following in quick sucession was fellow Junior Dundalk Karate members Sofia Comiskey, Emily Kelledy, Ivan Simutkins and Jacob Villiusis who were unfortunate this time round in their Kata categories but with things hotting up as Kumite for all Junior competitors had already begun on some tatami matts, Gum Shields and Kumite Mitts were quickly sourced and members headed back to the matts.
Coach Marcus and her daughter, Catherine Marcus, who was also helping coach before she herself competed, both quickly managed to sort who was going to which area and in no time Ivan and Jacob were up for their Kumite Category.
Yet again another huge category with over 40 entries, Ivan and Jacob took to the matts yet again.
With numerous boys of similar age and experience it ended with Jacob being unlucky in this event, but Ivan being declared Champion and receiving a Gold medal for all his hard work.
Following the boys success, Emily Kelledy took to the matts in yet another huge category and to say that everyone was on tenderhooks was an understatement. But giving Emily guidance from the sidelines Coach Marcus guided Emily through her Kumite rounds, which resulted in a Bronze medal for all her hard work.
Having all Junior members compete, and a quick lunch break on the cards, it was finally time for all Cadets and Senior competitors to follow a sucessful mornings competition, and with Senior Dundalk Karate member, Catherine Marcus finally ready to take centre stage it was time for the final member of this local Dundalk Karate Team to compete in both Kata and Kumite.
With huge numbers entered in this year’ event it was no surprise to see yet again another two large categories for Catherine to compete in. There may have been a little disapointment with no medal this time round in Kata, but this did not hold local girl Marcus back in her determination during her Kumite category which resulted in a Bronze medal for her dedication and committment in all she achieves.
Afterwards Head of Dundalk Karate, Sensei Marcus said, “This year Karate Ireland held their largest National Championships to date, and to see Dundalk Karate holding their own on the matts, was a very proud moment for Dundalk Karate. Everyone has trained and come together as a Team which would make any Coach proud. Congratulations to each member of this fantastic team, OSS.”
Currently Dundalk Karate train in the Redeemer Family Resource Centre where members as young as 4 years of age and older that 50 train, and with all ages and abilities being catered for, and with a new Ninja Kids Karate Class starting in the New Year on a Saturday, things are definitely very busy within Dundalk Karate. If you would like any further information on Dundalk Karate and the classes they hold, you can contact Head of Dundalk Karate, Sensei Mary Marcus 3rd Dan on 086 353 1625 or karatequeen@live.com.