Letterkenny Shotokan Karate Club host winter camp and belt presentations

The Letterkenny Shotokan Karate Club held their Winter Camp this weekend in The Letterkenny Community Centre.

The camp kicked off their first day where all students from beginner to black belt took part in Kata and Kumite training.

During the five-day camp, under the instruction of their Sensei's 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 the 16th Of December, students from White 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 – Mihika Manish, 2nd – Yohan Zaman; Orange/Red Belts: 1st – Shruti Oommen, 2nd – Scott Sweeney, 3rd - Martin Gallagher; Green Belts: 1st – Joshua mcHugh, 2nd – Dominic mcHugh; Purple-Purple White Belts: 1st – Teresa Gallagher, 2nd – Gerard Foley, 3rd - Noah Callaghan and Megan Callaghan

Brown - Black Belts: 1st – Georgia Martin, 2nd – Ivanna Benny, 3rd - Rishon Sojan and Taylor Hughes; Team Kata: 1st – LastMinute.com, 2nd – Guardians of the Galaxy, 3rd – Spice Girls.

Awards were given to two students who displayed best male and female spirit. The Best spirit awards went to Noah Callaghan and Ivanna Benny.

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 :

Shodan Black Belt
Adelle mcAteer
Rishon Sojan
Evan Ward
Georgia Martin

Brown White Belt 2 Stripes 1st Kyu
Ivanna Benny

Brown White Belt 2nd Kyu
Benny Jose
Catherine Deeney
Megah Thampi

Purple White Belt 2 Stripes 3rd Kyu
Kyle McGuigan

Purple White Belt 4th Kyu
Megan Callaghan
Noah Callaghan
Gerard Doherty

Purple Belt 5th Kyu
Matthew Gallier
Lily Gallier
Teresa Gallagher
Grace Gallagher
Gerard Foley

Green Belt 6th Kyu
Dominic Mc Hugh
Joshua McHugh

Red Belt 8th Kyu
Martin Gallagher

Orange Belt 9th Kyu
Scott Sweeney 
Shruti Dommen
Kisho Nigoako

A very special award was presented to one of the club's newcomers, Gerard Foley. 

Gerard recently took up the sport and has been on a medal streak since, winning a Silver and Bronze medal at the Mayo Karate Championships, a Bronze medal at the GB Open International Karate Championships, and a Gold and Bronze at the Karate Ireland Open in Waterford. 

The special award presented to Gerard was The Jimmy Gillen Memorial Cup. Jimmy Gillen, who passed away in June was the founding member of The Letterkenny Shotokan Karate Club. 

The club would like to thank the members of the Gillen family who came to present the cup to the recipient of this special award, Gerard Foley.

The Club would like to congratulate all students who attended this year's Winter Karate Camp and were successful in their Competition and Gradings. Sensei John Wilkie. 45 years in the Community (1978-2023).