Kombatan training on Tuesday next

On next Tuesday evening we had our a kombatan training class in the dojo for senior members at 9pm ...don't forget your bastons. Kombatan is a Filipino martial art discipline which differs from most in that it firstly teaches the student how to use and defend against weapons before using the open hand or weapon free attack or defence methods. Kombatan is based on self-defence techniques and their practicality, and weapons are used only as an extension of the hand.The club holds a class on every 3rd Tuesday of the month and you are welcome to come along and check it out.
A special thanks to sensei Ciaran O'Dea who hosted the wheelchair class last Saturday morning at The Cope Foundation in Montenotte, Cork.
On Friday April 15th Podge Deehan will be receiving a special award at 49th Annual Dinner Dance of the Cork Indoor Sports Association which is being held in The Gresham Metropole Hotel. Podge who is confined to a wheelchair is an excellent ambassador for karate and is an inspiration to all with his determination and positive outlook.
Training is at the usual times and new members are always welcome. Until next week osu.

picture :- Podge Deehan performing his winning kata at last year's Wheelchair Karate Championships.

Club honours World Champion

Last Thursday evening sensei Ross Daly was named Club Person Of The Year in recognition for his achievement in Turin last year taking gold in the men's senior kumite. Ross was presented with the Padraig Houlihan Memorial Perpetual Trophy by Padraig's father John.We had a great turnout which is a testimony to Ross' popularity in the club. Well done Ross and we are sure this will be first of many titles you will achieve.

On Sunday some of our senior members travelled with sensei Brian Toomey and sensei Ciaran O' Dean to Ovens for a Kombatan seminar hosted by Master Jesi Pablo at the Grangecross Budo Centre. The course itself while being quite intensive was made to look easy by Jesi whose skills and expertise are second to none in this martial arts discipline. Every aspect of this style including weapon training,empty hand and police combatitive tactics were masterfully covered by Jesi. All participnts successfully completed this course and received an International Philippines Martial Arts Federation certificate in Kombatan Presas Style and are registered as official members ( lakan 1) with the IPMAF. A special thanks to Jesi's wife Margaret for her hospitality on the day

top pic-:Master Jesi Pablo 3rd from the left pictured with senseis Brian and Ciaran, and club members at last Sunday's Kombatan Seminar.

bottom pic-:Sensei Ross Daly being congratulated by John Houlihan having received the Padraig Houlihan Memorial Club Person Of The Year perpetual trophy.

St Patricks Day Parade

For our junior members who don't know the St Patricks Day Parade will start at 11:00 a.m. outside Cavanagh's Garage, Cork Road and finishes on Patrick Street, Fermoy, a distance of about 1.5 km.Please be there for 10:45 so as we can get organized.

Walking time is about 30 minutes.

The parade takes an hour and a half-ish.

kombatan class

Once again we had an extremely energetic class thanks to Kombatan Instructor Jesi Pablo who holds the rank of Lakan Anim (6th Dan).
as well as our usual students we were joined by Ciaran O'Dea of the shu bu kan karate club in dungarvan.

Pictured - Sensei Jesi Pablo (6th Dan).

first grading of 2011 and spring seminar

Last Thursday evening we held our first grading of 2011 and we are delighted to report that all the students passed. In all we had over thirty students across all age groups and grades who achieved their kyu.The standard among all the students was second to none and is a testimony to the commitment and excellence of sensei Brian Toomey. A special thanks to Mike Hennessy who helped out and tutored students on the evening. Well done to all and keep practising.
Sensei S. Kato 9th dan I.J.K.A. international chief instructor hosted our annual spring seminar over the week-end with the assistance of sensei Milena Galabova 3rd dan, and it proved to be a resounding success.On Saturday we travelled with sensei Kato to the Cope Foundation in Montenotte, Cork where he presided over a special wheelchair class.This was a very special and indeed heart warming event and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Later that evening the venue was the Adair hall, Fermoy where the great master put everybody through their paces for three hours. We all left enlightened and tired but eager to return on Sunday.
We kicked off at 10.30am on Sunday with a special instructors class followed by an all grades class which included children, who were left in awe by the special treatment and one to one instruction they received from senseis Kato and Galabova. Finally the course concluded with a black belt grading and well done to Ben who received his 2nd dan. Osu.
Thanks to everybody who travelled to the event and to the parents of our juniors, the Adair hall committee, and all who helped us to make this a memorable and successful event.
Until next week osu.

Courtesy of Jim Condon.