The first of the now familiar Clicker and Cadet training sessions for 2011 took part in Mullingar dojo on the thirtieth of January. Representatives from Galway, Letterfrack, Dublin and of course Mullingar were all there with the hopes of improving technique, practicing skills, or perhaps learning something new. The class started with a ten minute skipping warm up. Then Sensei Ken and Senpai Shane Mulhall took the

clicker squad through a light stretch and then covered footwork and flexibility (assisted partner kicks), followed by reaction and speed training. Then on to restricted training ie blocking with one hand only, leading into a general spar with the coaches providing feedback and making sugestions.

Mean while the three all new trial cadets worked with Senpai Nigel looking at, and beginning to experience the differences and similarities between clicker and knock down. Beginning with some pad work a short stint of hands only 20% sparing, a brief look at viable targets on the torso and then a short low kick drill concentrating on technique and focus. After a quick break to rehydrate the Senpais swapped stations with Senpai Shane working the cadets through some more leg drills and gave them their first steps on the long road of conditioning. Senpai Nigel meanwhile assisted Sensei Ken with the clicker squad continuing with the stretching and kicking and some pad work to sharpen reflexes and tighten focus.

The day finished up with everyone getting a chance to apply the lessons learned during sparring. While the class looked on providing encouragement the instructor made suggestions for improvement. After the session there was a feeling of satisfaction amongst the instructors who were all delighted at the attitude of the class to instantly try to integrate new ideas into their routine and apply them to their sparring. It’s truly invigorating to work with a dedicated group of youngsters with such a thirst for knowledge and the drive to put it into practice.

Nigel Prendergast

Irish Karate Kyokushinkai grading in Galway dojo 22/01/2011

Senpai Dave King of the IKK Galway dojo held his first grading of the year on Saturday 22nd January 2011. The grading had to be rescheduled from December of last year due to the bad weather. The IKK has a panel of grading instructors and today it was Sensei Shane Lalor who took charge of proceedings. After a quick warm up, Sensei Shane went straight into Kata for all grades from 10^th Kyu up to 4^th Kyu. This was followed by repetitions of Kihon in various stances. The day was finished with Kumite - Clicker (continous points) for the Juniors and Knockdown for the seniors. After many fast and furious rounds the grading came to an end. The full list of those who were successful is below.

Seniors

Ian Corcoran - 10th Kyu
Martin Byrne - 10th Kyu
Fintan Egan - 5th Kyu
Igor Klosowski - 4th Kyu

Juniors

Cathal O'Grady - 10th Kyu
Robert O'Reilly - 10th Kyu
Samuel Healy - 10th Kyu
Cathal Ryan Collins - 10th and  9th Kyu

Killian Chasseriaud - 9th Kyu
Dominic Arthur - 9th Kyu
Shean O'Connor - 9th Kyu

Tom Kavanagh - 8th Kyu

Ciann MacCoille - 7th Kyu

Harry Arthur - 6th Kyu
Julius Byrne - 6th Kyu

Japser Byrne - 5th Kyu
Shauna Arthur - 5th Kyu
Diarmuid McCormack 5th Kyu

Daniel Tikhomoriv - 4th Kyu

Congrats to all!