Letterkenny Shotokan Karate Club hold second Summer Camp

The Letterkenny Shotokan Karate Club held their second Summer Camp at Letterkenny Community Centre.

The Camp kicked off its first day on Tuesday, where all students from beginner to black belt took part in Kata and Kumite training. During the five-day Summer Camp, under the instruction of Sensei John, Sensei Chris, Sensei Brian, Sensei Mary and Sensei Peter, students were busy refining their Kata and Kumite skills, this extra training was the final push to prepare the students for their upcoming competition and grading.

On Saturday, students from hiwte to black belts, took part in an Individual Kata competition, as well as a Team Kata event.
The following results are from Saturday’s Competition.
White Belts: 1st – Vivan Gore, 2nd – Martin Gallagher
Orange/Red Belts: 1st – Gerard Foley, 2nd – Ali Murtaza
Yellow Belts: 1st – Teresa Gallagher, 2nd – Grace Gallagher, 3rd – Arya Satheesh and Diya Nair.
Green Belts: 1st – Noah Gallagher, 2nd – Michael Harvey, 3rd – Gerard Doherty and Magan Callaghan
Purple-Purple White Belts: 1st – Catherine Deeney, 2nd – Kyle McGuigan
Brown - Black Belts: 1st – Anika Benny, 2nd – Adelle McAteer, 3rd - Ivana Benny
Team Kata: 1st – Champion Shotokans, 2nd – Benny Bagels, 3rd – No Names and Silent Serpents.
Best Team Name: Benny Bagles

Awards were given to two students who displayed the best spirit and one student with excellent technique. Best Spirit awards went to Noah Callaghan and Megan Callaghan and the award for best technique went to Teresa Gallagher.

The following students who were successful, and awarded their next belt, training hard over the last few months as well as during the camp, displaying the skills they learned in order to obtain their next belt were :
9th kyu - Orange belt: Martin Gallagher.
8th kyu - Red belt: Danielle Byrne and Vivan Gore.
7th kyu – Yellow belt: Gerard Foley and Ali Murtaza.
6th kyu - Green belt: Arya Satheesh, Shreya Satheesh, Diya Nair, Andrey Barabash, Teresa Gallagher, Grace Gallagher, Peter o'Boyle and Dilan o'Boyle.
5th kyu - Purple belt: Satheesh Kumar, Emily Callaghan, Michael Harvey, Noah Callaghan, Gerard Doherty and Megan Callaghan.
4th kyu - Purple White Belt: Kyle McGuigan.
3rd kyu – Brown Belt: Catherine Deeney and Benny Jose.
2nd kyu - Brown White Belt: Ivana Benny
1st kyu - Brown 2 White Stripes Belt: Adelle McAteer

Congratulations to Georgia Martin who passed her pre-test which enables her to grade for her 1st Dan black belt in December.

Upcoming Events
The Letterkenny Shotokan Karate Club Summer Training will take place every Wednesday in The Letterkenny Community Centre and will break for summer holidays on June 28. Training will return on Monday, September 11.

A Safe Guarding course will take place in the Letterkenny Community Centre on Thursday, September 7. This course is free and can be booked under The Donegal Sports Partnership. A new Beginner class will start on Friday, September 8, from 6-7pm.

A six-week crash course will take place, the cost will be €100. Booking essential. For more information on this or any of the above please contact John Wilkie, 0871097599, email Johnwilkie63.jw@gmail.com

Fundraising for Sensei John Wilkie's Trip to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of Irish Guide Dogs Donegal Branch have been going well, to help fund this trip a fundraising draw took place on Saturday. Monies raised from the Draw were €5,560 which has brought the total up to €10,239. The climb takes place June 17th- June 27th and donations are still welcome. To donate please visit kilimanjaro-2023.raisely.com

The winners of the Big draw were:
1st Place: Ann Floyd
2nd Place: Erin Clarke
3rd Place: Eamonn Begley
4th Place: Anne Boyce
5th Place: Teresa Gallagher

The Winners of the Club draw were:
1st Place: Gerard Doherty €25 Voucher
2nd Place: Grace Gallagher Big Teddy
3rd Place: Teresa Gallagher €20 Voucher
4th Place: Kyle Mc Guigan Box of Sweets
5th Place: Emily Callaghan Box of Sweets

The Club would like to congratulate all students who attended this year’s Summer Karate Camp and were successful in their Competition and Gradings. The club would like to extend a special thanks to Cllr Kevin Bradley for sponsoring the competition medals, Earlybird Cleaning Services, Greene's Shoes and McCallions Jewellers for sponsoring the prizes for the fundraising draw.