irish fighter magazine article pg6

TANG SOO DO
MARTIAL ARTS
ASSOCIATION
ALL-IRELAND TANG SOO DO ASSOCIATION
Teaching the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do, Master Suresh Nar, one of
Europeʼs top Tang Soo Do instructors, invites you - if you are serious about your
development in Korean martial arts - to join and grow with us
UPCOMING EVENTS:
G JUNE, 2013 - NATIONAL TANG SOO DO BLACK
BELT CLASS - MONAGHAN
G 15 SEPTEMBER, 2013 - NATIONAL PRE-BLACK
BELT TESTINGS - MONAGHAN
G 26 OCTOBER, 2013 - EUROPEAN
INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS (IMA) TANG
SOO DO CHAMPIONSHIPS - MALTA
G JUNE, 2014 - INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS
(IMA) TANG SOO DO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS LONDON, ENGLAND
G TANG SOO
DO . . .
FOR YOUR
MIND
G FOR YOUR
BODY
G FOR YOUR
SPIRIT
FOR DETAILS OF CLASSES STARTING IN YOUR AREA
AND REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OPPORTUNITIES
PLEASE CONTACT:
G Master Suresh Nar, president of the All-Ireland Tang Soo Do Association -TELEPHONE (087) 6969215
G Master Paul McManus, vice-president of the All-Ireland Tang Soo Do
Association - TELEPHONE (087) 9213866
e-mail: paulmcmanustsd@hotmail.com
ABOUT TANG SOO DO MASTER SURESH NAR:
G Former chief instructor of the Great Britain Tang Soo Do (Yong Kook) Association
G Coach to six world championship winning teams
G Over 30 years experience in the Korean art of Tang Soo Do
G International Martial Arts Association (IMAA) ‘Instructor of the Year’ 2001
G Chief instructor of the European International Martial Arts Association (IMAA)
Tang Soo Do Federation as appointed by Grandmaster Ki Yun Yi
Visit: www.europeantangsoodo.com
IRISH FIGHTER I 61
IMA TANG SOO DO - PRESERVING THE HONOUR AND INTEGRITY OF A TIME HONOURED ART
URBAN SILAT
BY GURU SCOTT McQUAID
HE MINANGKABAU TRIBE from
West Sumatra were considered
Indonesia’s deadliest jungle
warfare soldiers. These warriors
protected their land, family, and way of life
by fighting off intruders using the various
styles of combat that is generically known
as Pencak Silat today but is called ‘Silek’ in
the Minangkabau language.
The Harimau (Tiger) Pencak Silat style
was the preferred system of combat for this
tribe due to its direct kill-at-will approach
to conflict. The practitioner’s of this
particular Silat style became feared and
therefore respected amongst Indonesia’s
tribes. The style was developed from their
terrain as well as their surroundings and
environment. Knowing your land could be
the difference between living and dying in
battle.
T
62 I IRISH FIGHTER
The modern landscape
Once the Harimau Silat system reached
the Western world the shape of the art was
adapted to the modern landscape. The
Minang Silat warrior no longer walked in
the thick undergrowth of woodland, now
they roamed the concrete jungle where the
grounding is solid, the view often
obstructed by vehicles and high-rise
buildings and their enemies less obvious
and they attack for many different reasons.
While most of today’s combative arts
have been stylised and are often
demonstrated like a performance and
others have developed into sports, very few
fighting arts translate to the actual
meaning of the phrase ‘martial arts’, that
is ‘arts concerned with waging war’.
However, the Silek Harimau system is
perhaps the very essence of ‘martial arts’.
Restrain an attacker
The Silek system is renowned within
Pencak Silat circles for its groundwork and
over-kill tactics. Harimau Pesilats, or Silat
players, are trained to kill to survive
rather than control and restrain an
attacker. Half of what is taught in today’s
martial art classrooms wouldn’t be viable
in the real world and although the
techniques are sound and the training
worthy it’s the raw basics that will work on
the street.
The intricate details of placement of
hands hold very little value when your
opponent throws multiple attacks. The
Harimau exponents attack their
opponent’s attack as opposed to blocking
and countering, which wastes time and
Guru Scott McQuaid (left) executes a Pencak Silat fighting technique of the Minangkabua tribe from
West Sumatra.
alerts your attacker. They will see what is
coming towards them and then eliminate
that threat. At the very least Harimau
practitioners will break their opponent’s
leg, which will limit the assailant’s
mobility. This will all be done within two to
three movements.
Could be your last
The Minangkabau jungle warfare
ideology is to take your enemy out with the
first move with the philosophy that every
attack could be your last. The majority of
fights end up on the floor, which gives
home advantage to a Harimau Pesilat. The
practitioner is able to take down their
opponent while still attacking from the
ground. The modern Harimau warrior in
today’s society is in a constant state of
alert. They are taught to be in ‘the now’
and always aware of their surroundings.
The environment plays a big part in
aiding your defence against an attacker. If
you’re cornered in an ally, the wall behind
you will act as a weapon by slamming the
assailant into it. Smashing your opponent’s
face into the concrete floor will eliminate
any possibility of a comeback attack. The
floor is a Harimau Pesilat’s greatest
weapon and it’s always present.
The range of timing
In open surroundings, such as a car
park, the obstacles of vehicles can be
utilised to obstruct your opponent.
Continuous movement while engaging in
the fight is vital as this, not only makes it
harder for the enemies to pin you down,
but also presents opportunities for you and
upsets the range and timing of your
attacker.
Combative applications are never as
clinical and effective as when they’re
applied in the controlled environment of
the classroom. Real combat is messy and
unpredictable. The human reptile instinct
for survival will automatically switch on
when your life is threatened. During this
time you have but two natural instincts:
fight or flight. There are no certainties in
combat, so be prepared for whatever may
come.
G Born in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland,
Guru Scott McQuaid is the founder of
the Black Triangle Silat tribe.
McQuaid lives in Penang, Malaysia
where he teaches regular classes and
seminars. McQuaid is available for
seminars and workshops can be
contacted on (00 60) 166 453435 or via
e-mail at: info@blacktrianglesilat.com
G Guru Scott McQuaid has just released
his latest demonstration DVD film,
‘Silek Harimau - The Minangkabau Art
Of War’, which is available from his
website at www.blacktrianglesilat.com
ELITISM
BY SEAMUS O’DOWD
OMETIMES IT’S THE LITTLE things that get me thinking. I
was at the airport at a ridiculous hour of the morning recently,
checking in for a long-haul flight. “You’re an elite customer”, the
lady told me. “You’ll get priority boarding.” I thanked her and
walked away, but the word ‘elite’ stuck in my head. What does it mean?
Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
Believe me, in the early hours of the morning, and at any hour when
going on a long haul flight, anything that
makes the journey a little easier has got to
be a good thing, and I was more than
happy that my frequent travels enabled
me to avail of minor perks like getting to
board earlier and getting my bag faster at
the other side. While patience may be a
virtue, it has its limits when dealing with
the hustle and bustle of busy airports and
the cattle-mart security lines.
Picture by Pat Gorman of trendphotography.ie
S
have all those titles and positions. I’ve seen schools where students, not
only wear different coloured belts, but even different coloured suits depending on their status. I’ve seen organisations where there are different coloured neckties for senior grades, and different coloured patches
for the blazers of black belts, depending on what dan the holder is. Is
this not a form of elitism?
Stood in a circle
I sometimes wonder how many of us would have kept up our Karate
training for so long if there were no belts, no certificates, no titles and
no status. I sometimes wonder what would happen if we all just wore
white belts, or no belts at all. If we all just
stood in a circle, with no one standing in
front of anyone else. Would the training be
any different? Would we lose students because they don’t get a colourful reward for
their efforts? Would they respect the sensei any less if he was simply standing
amongst them instead of in front of them,
and if they just called him by name?
On the other hand, would we lose something more important if we did this? Is
there value in the structure that we have,
including a ranking system? There’s a lot
to be said for tradition, for building selfconfidence through a sense of achievement, and for having to show respect for
others, be they senior or junior (because
respect must always be a two-way street).
IRISH FIGHTER I 63
A couple of weeks
As I squeezed into my not-so-elite economy seat on the aircraft, I started thinking
about how difficult I find it to go on business trips for a couple of weeks, and that I
only have to do this a few times per year,
but how little this is in comparison to what
Kanazawa Kancho has been doing for
nearly 50 years. To put it in perspective,
Reasonable trade-off
with his recent retirement, Shotokan
In Western society we seem to need reKarate-do International Federation (SKIF)
wards to keep us motivated, and if they
are now sending six instructors to travel
help us to achieve something noble, then
the world to teach in his place. To be fair,
this may well be a very reasonable tradesome of these have been doing a lot of
off. But for some of us, it has a negative eftravelling for him over the the last few
fect. We like the titles. We like having a
years, but I’ve been around long enough to
high dan rank. We like having people bow
remember when he used to do it all himto us. It feeds our ego. In the Eastern culself. He used to try to visit more than 50
ture, they understand that having people
countries in a single year. If I’m an ‘elite’
bow to you simply means that you bow
passenger, what is he?
back, and that it’s a gesture of mutual reThe word ‘elite’ can simply refer to a
spect and mutual responsibility, but that
Following a grading examination, Kickboxer Eammon Lawlor
person’s relative ability compared to othpart sometimes is, well, lost in translation.
(above right), chief instructor of the Irish Martial Arts Academy
(IMAA) in Carlingford, Co. Louth, was presented with his 3rd dan
ers. Elite athletes are those who are at the
It can sometimes be more difficult to
black belt and grading certificate by visiting British instructor
top of their chosen sport. They’re the ones
translate cultures and symbolism than it
Master Brian Beck of the British Martial Arts Academy (BMAA).
who represent their country and are adis to translate words.
Lawlor is a two-times WAKO world Kickboxing champion and
mired and respected for their achieveThere is potential in any organised acKickboxing Ireland’s national forms and weapons coach.
ments in their field. Unfortunately, elitism
tivity for elitism. We should be aware of
can also refer to a snobbery, and a feeling of superiority. Call someone
this risk and actively work to avoid it, for ourselves and for our stuelite, and you may be paying them a compliment. Call them elitist and
dents. The belts and the titles serve a purpose, but they should not be
you most certainly are not.
the objective, at least not once we grow up. There is a big difference between being elite and being elitist. It’s wonderful to strive to be elite,
even if it’s only to get early boarding on the plane, but it’s probably
Example to us all
In Karate we have elite instructors (and travellers). The genuinely
never a good thing to be elitist.
elite instructors are generally very humble people and an example to us
all. But we also have a lot of elitism in Karate, with egos and “my
karate is better than your karate” attitudes. When I hear statements
G Based in Dublin where he runs a successful dojo, Seamus
like this all I can see is kids in the playground challenging each others
O’Dowd has been studying martial arts for nearly 30
unsuspecting fathers to a fight, based on their relative size. In an art
years. He holds the rank of 5th dan black belt in Karate
that is supposed to promote humility and “perfection of character”, why
with Shotokan Karate-do International Federation
do we seem to have such enormous egos? )Perhaps that should be the
(SKIF) and is also an SKIF certified international infight challenge: my ego is bigger than your ego).
structor in Bo-Jutsu and Tai Chi Chuan. You can follow
A large part of it is caused by the system we use in martial arts, and
his blog, ‘Karate – In My Opinion’, at www.nintai-producanother large part is caused by what I call the “lost-in-translation syntions.com
drome”. We award belts; we stand in line according to rank; and we
At the Kickboxing Fight Night in the Ramelton Community
Centre, Co. Donegal. Left-right: Cillin Boyce (successfully
defended his IKF all-Ireland featherweight Tite for a second
time), Darryl Orr (made a successful first defence of his IKF
Five Nations welterweight title), and Amy Wilson (reclaimed her IKF all-Ireland light-welterweight title).
Orr keeps ‘Five Nations’ title
Quality Taekwon-Do for the black belt instructor
who wants to develop his or her skills to be all they can be
FURTHER DETAILS TELEPHONE:
(086) 0299889 or e-mail: cyrilmc7@yahoo.co.uk
Visit: www.carrigtwohilltaekwondo.com
POST OFFICE LANE, QUINSBORO ROAD, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW
Tel. (01) 2864085 • (086) 8350062
e-mail: massan@masterstemple.com
Chief instructor Grandmaster Instructor Massan Ghorbani, 9th degree black belt
Masters Temple is the headquarters for the Irish Satory Do Martial Arts Association,
the Irish Ultimate Kickboxing Association and the Irish Sin Moo Hapkido Association
- we are now looking for nationwide committed
representatives to spread the above styles throughout Ireland
MEMBERS WILL BENEFIT FROM:
Regular seminars and grading • Regular instructors’ courses • Professional gym
Regular competitions and fight nights • Martial arts school management course
DAILY CLASSES ALSO AVAILABLE FOR MALE AND
FEMALE, JUNIORS AND SENIORS IN . . .
KARATE, KICKBOXING, SIN MOO HAPKIDO, BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, MIXED
MARTIAL ARTS (MMA), ESCRIMA (FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS), MUSICAL
FORMS AND WEAPONS
KICKBOXING COACH Joe Wilson, an International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) representative based in Co. Donegal, hosted a very successful Kickboxing Fight Night in the
Ramelton Community Centre recently with no less than
three major IKF titles on the line. The first title contest
was a re-match between former champ and home fighter
Amy Wilson who took on the reigning champion Regina
Fanning for the IKF all-Ireland light-welterweight title.
Wilson won the title belt back in September, 2012 and
made a first defence to Regina Fanning in Thurles, Co. Tipperary less than two months later. Fanning won that night
but Wilson evened the score in Donegal and took the title
back off Fanning after a fast paced and very technichal five
rounds. The referee commented that it was possibly the
cleanest fight he ever officiated at as neither fighter had to
broken up even once throughout their contest.
Cillin Boyce was to step up to fight for the IKF Five Nations belt but his English opponent suffered a broken toe
less than two weeks to the fight night forcing the tilt to be
put off. As Boyce is a big draw in the area, all efforts were
made to secure a replacement and Boyce’s camp agreed to
defend his Irish title to Shane Marum from Portlaoise. This
contest went the full championship distance of five twominute rounds but failed to excite as both men seemed to
be trying too hard which resulted in a scrappy affair but in
the eyes of the judges, Boyce did enough to retain his title.
The main event on the card featured local hero Darryl
Orr making a mandatory first defence of his IKF Five Nations welterweight title to teak tough Englishman Dean
Petty. As far as main events go, it was a cracking finale to
a great nights entertainment and Petty certainly came to
fight as he pushed Orr back throughout. However, Orr
seemed happy enough to counter attack and chip away at
the old block. When decision time came, it was Orr’s hand
that was raised and he was delighted that he had successfully defended his crown but Petty can hold his head high
as he gave it everything making Orr work hard for his victory.
Rounding off a great night of action, Wilson thanked all
the fighters and coaches who made the journey as well as
Dr. Maura Grummell, the Red Cross, the management and
staff of Ramelton Community Centre, his sponsors, the IKF
and all who helped make the show such a roaring success.
RESULTS: light-contact, lightweight: Catherine Jennings, Galway Black Dragon Gym, bt Nicole Harrisson by judges decision;
full-contact, heavyweight: Bruce McElhinney, Letterkenny, Co.
Donegal, bt Ryan Spillane, Cork, by TKO rd two; full-contact,
super-welterweight: Adam Keane, Galway, and Stephen Doherty, Ramelton, Co. Donegal, fought to a draw; full-contact,
super-welterweight: Bryan Merrigan, Galway, bt Ciaran Boyle,
Strabane, Co. Tyrone by unanimous decision; full-contact, allIreland light-welterweight title: Amy Wilson, Letterkenny, Co.
Donegal, bt Regina Fanning, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, by split decision; full-contact, all-Ireland featherweight title: Cillin Boyce,
Ramelton, Co. Donegal, bt Shane Marum, Knockmay, Co. Laois
by split decision; full-contact, Five Nations welterweight title:
Darryl Orr, Ramelton, Co. Donegal, bt Dean Petty, Sunderland,
England, by split decision.
64 I IRISH FIGHTER
Further information from
Grandmaster Massan Ghorbani:
Tel. (01) 2864085; (086) 8350062;
e-mail: massan@masterstemple.com
VIsit:
www.masterstemple.com
Following a grading examination, Kickboxer Eammon
Lawlor (above right), chief instructor of the Irish Martial
Arts Academy (IMAA) in Carlingford, Co. Louth, was
presented with his 3rd dan black belt and grading certificate by visiting British instructor Master Brian Beck
of the British Martial Arts Academy (BMAA). Lawlor is a
two-times WAKO world Kickboxing champion and Kickboxing Ireland’s national forms and weapons coach.
Master Nar back in Malta
AT THE invitation of the Maltese Tang Soo Do
Association, Master Suresh Nar conducted his 13th
Annual Tang Soo Do Training Seminar in Valetta,
Malta recently. The training for juniors and seniors
covered various topics but concentrated mostly on hand
drills designed to improve speed and striking power.
Attendees were also introduced to restraining
techniques using a belt.
The seminar was followed by a pre-black belt
testing in preperation for a special European
International Martial Arts (IMA) dan grading
examination which will take place prior to the
forthcoming 2013 4th European IMA Tang Soo Do
Championships which be held in Malta later this year
in the presence of 5MA founder and president
Grandmaster Ki Yun Yi.
During a visit to Ireland 9th dan Korean Grandmaster Kim Yong Ho presented Dubliner Michelle Hogan with her
4th dan Chungdokwan certificate following her examination by Grandmaster Keith Evans, president of the Irish
Taekwondo Chundokwan WTF Association (ITCWA).
Instructor becomes master as Hogan earns 4th dan
American 4th degree Taekwon-Do instructor Martin Williams (bottom) explains a fighting technique with the help of Cork 2nd degree black belt
Aaron Burke.
First visit for Williams
graded to 1st dan. “It’s great to have four new black
belts in our ranks. Our Irish Taekwondo Tigers is now
firmly established and we recently moved to a new,
dedicated training facility in Dun Laoghaire,” Hogan
said.
After receiving her certificate from Grandmaster
Ho, Hogan remarked: “This means the world to me
because I believe all instructors must constantly test
themselves and prove that they’re worthy of teaching
and that the learning never stops. To see my students
graded today for their black belts has made the day
even more special and hopefully that sets the
standard for what’s to come.”
She continued: “I’d like to thank Grandmaster
Keith Evans and Master Michael Ho, of the Irish
Taekwondo Chundokwan WTF Association (ITCWA),
for giving me and my students this opportunity and
for putting us through our paces as well. I’m
determined to deliver all my knowledge and
experience in Taekwondo to my students, which, in
return, will give me great pleasure seeing my
students better themselves in their Taekwondo
journey.”
Students from Sensei Noel Amond’s Ballinabranna Karate Club in Co. Carlow display the medals they won at
this year’s Bawnogue Open Karate Championships in Tallaght, Dublin. Despite the medals haul Sensei Amond
keeps his students grounded and requested them to perform 10 push-ups, with their medals on, in front of all
the other juniors training at the dojo. “We don’t want their medal wins to go to their head,” Amond quipped.
“Well done. The juniors did really well securing 20 medals at the competition,” he added.
IRISH FIGHTER I 65
TAEKWON-DO BLACK belt instructor Cyril McSweeney and the J.H. Kim Institute Ireland welcomed American-based Martin Williams, his wife
Jessica and son TJ, to their dojang in Cork recently. Williams, a 4th degree black belt instructor at the J.H. Kim Institute headquarters dojang
in Boston, Massachusetts, was making his first
visit to Ireland.
Williams conducted a number of workshops in
the skills of full range and grappling fighting for
Taekwon-do students. “I’d previously met Martin
while I was in Boston and was very keen to have
him come to visit me and my students here in
Cork,” McSweeney said. “He arrived on the
Thursday morning and was instructing classes
that evening to a select group of our black belts.”
Williams followed his inaugural class with a
seminar for the black belt programme students
who are due to take their black belt tests later
this year. The American 4th degree taught a total
of seven seminars over the three days of his visit.
“Martin worked hard at getting the students up to
a very good standard,” McSweeney noted.
“We’ve already invited him back later this
summer for a week-long visit as our students and
instructors are very keen, and willing, to learn
the next levels of this very different way for us to
fight. His very relaxed way of teaching was both
fun and informative and everyone really enjoyed
the classes,” McSweeney concluded.
AFTER 18 YEARS of training in Olympic style
Taekwondo, 24-year old Michelle Hogan was recently
awarded her 4th dan ‘master’ black belt rank at a
recent function in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Howth,
Co. Dublin. While the Dubliner was graded by
Grandmaster Keith Evans, president of the Irish
Taekwondo Chundokwan WTF Association (ITCWA),
she was presented with her master certificate by the
well known Korean Grandmaster Kim Yong Ho, 9th
dan, when he visited Ireland recently for a series of
seminars.
The new master said she was inspired to take up
martial arts when she watched ‘Teenage Mutant Hero
Turtles’ as a child. Since then she has consistently
applied herself throughout her many years of training
during which time she was picked up a number of
national and international titles. When Hogan was
just 18-years-old she founded the Irish Taekwondo
Tigers dojang, which has since seen a plethora of
students following in their master’s footsteps by
winning a considerable number of trophies, titles and
honours.
On the day Hogan took receipt of her 4th dan
certificate, four of her students also successfully
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
SHERIDAN COMPETES AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
UBLIN NATIVE John Sheridan was the only Irishman to represent the
nation at this year’s Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship
held under the Patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme
Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The spectacular event showcased the strongest line-up in the history of the
tournament when the best fighters from around the world competed over three days.
Held in the National Exhibition Centre, the event built on Abu Dhabi’s emergence as
a global capital for Jiu-Jitsu, with more than 750 elite male and female fighters from
over 50 different countries including the UAE, Australia, Brazil, China, New Zealand,
South Africa, South Korea and USA, all competing for title of ‘World Champion’.
Sheridan, who trains in the East Coast Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Dun Laoghaire, Co.
Dublin, secured his world place following a gruelling qualification process held in
Portugal last year where he overcame seven international opponents in the space of a
few hours, managing to submit five of them. 26-year-old Sheridan, who now teaches
BJJ in Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin, said: “In Lisbon I won seven bouts, five by
submission, and clinched two gold medals.”
D
The European qualifiers
He continued: “By doing so I became only the second Irishman to ever qualify for
the world championships and the only Irishman to qualify this year.” In the European
qualifiers, four of the Dubliner’s bouts were in his -74kg blue belt weight class
followed by an additional three tilts in the open weight competition.
Sheridan’s first round qualifier was against local hero Alberto Gomez. “I won 2-0 on
advantages in a very tough and close opening match,” Sheridan explained. “My
experience of the qualification process really helped out in this victory, last year I
came third in the qualifiers so I was really determined to better that result this time
around.” His second round tilt was against Swiss entrant Max Lingard. In what
Sheridan describes as a “back and forth war” the Irishman came out on top winning
by rear naked choke. “I enjoyed that one. Max is a top competitor having won the
European championship and the Scandinavian qualifier for the world championship,”
Sheridan added.
Victory by guillotine
Next in the semi-finals, David Campos, of Portugal, squared off to the Dubliner
who got the better of his opponent recording victory by guillotine. “I was in the medals
at that stage and really gaining confidence,” he remarked. In his final tilt Sheridan
took on Bruno Borges of Africa. He won this contest by rear naked choke allowing him
to qualify for the open weight competition and the chance to win the trip to Abu
Dhabi.
Sheridan’s first round open weight contest was against Spaniard Franscisco
Martinez. On a roll now, Sheridan took the decision with a rear naked choke. “Not too
many matches are finished by submission at this level and I’d got four in-a-row at that
stage so I was on top of the world.” Next to fall to Sheridan in round two was Marco
Lopez of Spain who went out via a kimura shoulder lock. Sheridan’s fourth round final
contest was against Bruno Borges of Africa. He won this by an advantage.
66 I IRISH FIGHTER
‘A lot of supporters’
“It was four points each and three advantages to two in my favour so it was a very
close final. I did meet Borges before so he was prepared for my game plan. He also had
a lot of supporters too who could have been influencing the referee. However, I
managed to just shade it on the day,” Sheridan said. “As I expected the Portuguese
qualifier had a really high standard. However, I was well prepared having, prior to the
competition, gained a lot of invaluable experience on the mat which really made the
difference,” Sheridan explained.
Following the European qualifier Sheridan was thrilled to secure an all-expenses
paid trip to compete in Abu Dhabi with flights, accommodation, transport and food all
taken care of. “It’s definitely a luxurious and wealthy country,” Sheridan said. “But
more importantly that that was the chance to compete alongside the world’s top tier
Dublin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) blue belt John Sheridan, sporting the two gold
medals he won at the European qualifiers for this year’s Abu Dhabi World Professional
Jiu-Jitsu Championship, with his brother Peter Sheridan. The pair have just recently
opened a new BJJ club in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
competitors and become a world champion.” The organisation and presentation of the
championships was top class with the event being televised live on Abu Dhabi
television. “The tournament was also attended by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
along with numerous UFC fighters and a who’s who of the international grappling
community,” Sheridan said.
‘FIrst actual contest’
Sheridan had a good showing at the event. “I was thrilled to make it to the quarterfinals but unfortunately I lost out just before the medals,” Sheridan said. The
Dubliner got a by in the first round, won the next and then exited in the third round.
“I got a win in round two against Oswaldo Silva of Angola by rear naked choke. It was
nice to get into my stride with a quick finish in my first actual contest.”
Next out Sheridan took on Russian Sitik Muduev in a close match, which the
Russian won four advantages to one. “It was a close contest with no difference in
points at the final bell, so it was decided on advantages. I knew he was a top wrestler
and as expected it proved extremely difficult to get the top position,” Sheridan
explained. “Despite losing out just before the medals I was happy with my
performance and learned a lot from this wonderful experience. I’ll be back better than
ever next time around.”
He added: “I really wanted the gold medal but in hindsight I did well to get as far
as I did and could have easily gone further. You have to remember that thousands of
contestants tried unsuccessfully to qualify for the tournament and get as far as I did,
so I’ll just have to keep that in mind when preparing for next year’s competition.”
‘Specialised knowledge’
Sheridan has just recently opened up a new BJJ club with his brother Patrick
Sheridan. “We’re called ‘Satori BJJ’ and we’re based in the Coolmine Industrial Estate
in Blanchardstown. “I’m really delighted to be able to open my own gym,” Sheridan
said. “My brother and I have been involved in martial arts our whole lives and we’ve a
wealth of specialised knowledge we’ll be able to give back to the community.”
“BJJ involves no striking per se but involves grappling techniques and submissions
so it’s a very safe yet effective form of martial art,” Sheridan explained. “After I got my
Kenpo Karate black belt I picked up a few injuries and lost consistency in my training.
I wanted a fresh start and was very impressed with BJJ so that’s how I got involved in
the sport.”
“I’d genuinely recommend that everybody try BJJ at some stage during their lives.
We practise techniques during class and then can put them into practise straight
away when we’re sparring, using close to 100% effort and aggression but without
having to worry about injuring our training partners as they have they option to ‘tap
out’ at any time,” Sheridan concluded.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) blue belt John Sheridan (centre) stands atop of the podium
at the European qualifiers for this year’s Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu
Championship which was held in Lisbon, Portugal. The Dubliner won two gold medals
at the event.
G For details of classes at the Satori Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Club in the
Coolmine Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin, contact John
Sheridan on (087) 9256729 or (083) 1523568. All beginners receive a free
30 day trial with no obligation to join.
G Visit: www.satoribjj.com
At Kickboxing Ireland’s All-Ireland National Kickboxing Championships in Moran’s
Red Cow Pavilion, Dublin. Left-right: coach Illija Salerno, coach Jimmpy Upton, -60kg
ladies champion Jade Gibbons (Bushido Martial Arts, Clondalkin), coach Liam Whelan, runner-up Jane Kelly (Waterford Kickboxing) and coach Billy O’Sullivan.
National champions chosen
CHRIS DOWLING REPORTS
THIS YEAR’S Kickboxing Ireland’s official All-Ireland
National Kickboxing Championships took place in
Dublin at Moran’s Red Cow Pavilion over two days. The
event showcased the cream of Ireland’s Kickboxing talents over three disciplines of full-contact, low kick and
K1. Day one saw the bulk of eliminators and semi-finals run off with many of last year’s champions re-ignite old rivalries along with the next generation of
fighters and future champions stepping up to the mark.
One such bout saw Cork’s Dominic Stephenson take
on reigning -75kg national champion Noel Tierney in a
tilt which was a battle from the first round with the
Cork youngster showing no respect for the champion by
bringing the fight straight to him. This contest took all
three rounds to decide a winner with Tierney proving
too strong for the game Stephenson to book his place in
the final.
Spectacular fashion
Another fighter who missed last year’s nationals due
to taking a year out was Alan Coffey who competing at
-86kg marked his comeback with a fine victory. Coffey’s
semi-final bout saw him win in spectacular fashion by
knockout with a beautiful timed left hook to the jaw of
the game Connor McCallin, of Stewart Beatties gym, in
the first round to earn him a final showdown with
reigning champion Cormac O’Connor from Sligo who
lost out this time around.
Day two of the event saw the final showdowns take
place with the winners being crowned Kickboxing Ireland’s national champion and earning their place on
the Irish national squad for the coming international,
European and world championships. Two times ladies
champions Lindsey Doyle took on Shannon, Co. Clare’s
Leona O’Shea in an exciting and entertaining contest.
O’Shea has been on the rise as a junior and was looking
to make her mark on the senior circuit.
O’Shea showed the grit and determination that
made her a junior champion and was determined not
let Doyle win her third national title. However, despite
the onslaught Doyle took it in her stride and showed
exactly why she has won so many titles in the past with
her skill, strength and experience allowing her to de-
feat O’Shea and become the ladies -60kg national
champion.
Coffey dethroning O’Connor to become the new national champion.
Savage combination
Meanwhile, Waterford’s Jane Kelly squared off to
Bushido Martial Arts (BMA) Clondalkin’s Jade Gibbons
in another youth versus experience competition where
the Waterford fighter stepped up a class for this tilt.
Unfortunately for Kelly this time out it was Gibbons
who showed her experience with precise body shots
wearing down her opponent before finally stopping her
with a final savage combination to the body to secure
victory.
The final of the mens -86kg proved to be a cracking
affair with last year’s champion Cormac O’Connor
(Sligo) coming up against Alan Coffey (Global Kickboxing). With Coffey coming of his spectacular preformance in the semi-finals and O’Conner determined to
continue his reign as champion, it ensured neither gave
an inch in this toe-to-toe battle as both combatants
slugged it out in a fight that was so close to call in the
end where only a mear point seperated the duo with
RESULTS: 2013 Irish national full-contact Kickboxing champions: junior women: -56Kg Rebecca Gorman (coach Des Murphy),
-65Kg Deidre Begley (Ian Kingston), +70Kg Jessica Grant. Junior men: -54Kg John McAteer (Ian Kingston), -60Kg Malachy
McDonnell (Leon Parsons), -63.5Kg Dylan Moran (Billy O’Sullivian), -67Kg Glen McFarlane (Stewart Beattie), -71kg Ziggi
Ettes (Howie Vincent), -86Kg Michael Casswell (Norman Kelly).
Senior women: -52Kg Orla O’Brien (Colin O’Shaughnessy), 56Kg Lindsey Doyle (Glen Heenan), -60Kg Jade Gibbons (Ilija
Salerno), -65Kg Gillian Duffy (Liam Whelan), +70Kg Lianne
McAree Murphy (Martin McMahon). Senior men: -54Kg Michael
Whelan (Mick McDermott), -57Kg Martin Kenny (Norman
Kelly), -60Kg Gary McDonnell (Leon Parsons), -63.5kg Tom Delaney (Vinnie Murphy), -67Kg Stephen Macafee (Liam Whelan),
-71Kg Brian Brosnan (Denis Brosnan), -75kg Noel Tierney (Joe
Hagan), -81Kg Jarlath O’Connor (Des Leonard), -86Kg Alan Coffey (Liam Whelan), -91Kg Kenneth Okungbowa (Leon Parsons),
+91Kg John Mullally (Liam Whelan). Low kick, senior men: 67Kg Ian McManus (Denis Brosnan), -75Kg Ferdia Grant (Massan Ghorbani), -81Kg Stephen Moroney (Denis Brosnan). Senior
K1 men: -67Kg Ian McManus (Denis Brosnan), -71Kg Dylan Parsons (Leon Parsons), -75Kg Ferdia Grant (MassanGhorbani), 81Kg Stephen Moroney (Denis Brosnan).
Sensei Patsy Whelan, competitors, referees and coaches who were all part of the Carlow Karate Club squad who
competed at the WKA Welsh International Open Competition in Swansea.
Carlow on song in Wales
SUE WHELAN REPORTS
A LARGE Carlow squad, draws from Karate-do students within the Carlow, Ballinabranna, Bigstone and
Ballon Karate Clubs, were in Wales recently where
they competed successfully in the Welsh Karate
League and brought home a whopping 27 medals,
made up of nine gold, five silver and 12 bronze
medals.
The WKA Welsh International Open Competition,
which took place in the Gower College Sports Centre,
Swansea, was well attended attracting a total of 26
clubs and over 400 junior and senior competitors. The
Carlow dojo selection finished in second place with
Bigstone in fifth position, Ballinabranna 11th and
Ballon 16th. “It was a great achievement for each of
the clubs,” Carlow black belt instructor Sensei Patsy
Whelan remarked. Whelan added: “Well done to all
who took part. There were some great performances
and some tough fighting, the medals were all well deserved.”
Students from the Ballinabranna Karate Club, Carlow, who took part in the WKA Welsh International Open Competition in Swansea. Left-right: Mary Boylan (gold medalist), Jasmine Byrne (gold and silver), Sarah Baldwin,
Emma Baldwin (three bronze) and Sensei Noel Amond.
IRISH FIGHTER I 67
Full-contact Kickboxer Noel Tierney lands an axe kick
on his opponent during one of his bouts.
At Kickboxing Ireland’s All-Ireland National Kickboxing Championships in Moran’s
Red Cow Pavilion, Dublin. Left-right: coach Howie Vincent, -63.5kg junior champion
Dylan Moran, (Waterford Kickboxing), referee Chris Dowling, runner-up Adam Carroll
(Shannon Kickboxing) and coach Billy O’Sullivan.
IKF’s first show in Cork
THE INTERNATIONAL Kickboxing Federation (IKF)
sanctioned its first Kickboxing promotion in Cork recently with the event being hosted and promoted by
the Cork-based IKF representative Liam Og Griffin in
the impressive K2C Centre in Blackrock.
The 15-bout, packed out show had a good mixture of
light-contact Kickboxing, full-contact Kickboxing and
K-1 competitions with and all the bouts being well
matched. “The sport of Kickboxing has been given a
good foothold in the Rebel County,” IKF representative
in Ireland Pete Foley said.
At the end of the show, promoter Griffin, who runs
the successful West Cork Kickboxing Club, thanked
the fighters, coaches, referees and supporters for making the event a great success.
RESULTS: light-contact: Hannah Chesser (Waterford) bt Megan
Cummins (Cork) by judges decision; light-contact: Gillian
O’Connor (Limerick) bt Kayleigh Cronin (Cork) by referee stoppage; light-contact: Sean Harrington (Cork) and Luke Walsh
(Waterford) fought to a draw; light-contact: Jordan Kelly (Waterford) bt CB Kirsten by judges decision; light-contact: Dylan
Walsh (Waterford) bt Stewart Murphy (Cork) by judges decision;
Anthony Cahill (Cork) and Jack Charrington (Cork) performed
an exibition bout; IKF full-contact super-lightweight: Barry
Clinton (Cobh) bt Dane Hurn (Cork) by disqualification; IKF K1 middleweight: Jack O’Leary (Cork) bt KJ Carrig (Carragline)
by judges decision; Ryan Spillane (Cork) and Don Spicer (Cork)
performed a K-1 exibition bout; IKF K-1 welterweight: Chris
O’Driscoll (Cork) bt Luke Maher (Cork) by TKO; IKF full-contct
light-middleweight: Martin Cronin (Cork) bt Lukas Stasik (Limerick) by withdrawal; IKF full-contact crusierweight: Peter Clifford (Cork) bt Jamie Cronin (Cork) by judges decision; IKF K-1
light-middleweight: Jason Barry (Cork) and John Healy (Cork)
fought to a draw; Emmet Brickley (Cork) and Joe Hayes (Cork)
performed a Kickboxing exibition bout; IKF full-contact middleweight: John Fitzgerald (Waterford) bt Eric Walsh (Cork) by
TKO.
K2C Cork’s fighter Sean Harrington (left) eating a nicely timed Jab from Luke Walsh (Pat Rocket Karate Academy,
Waterford) The final result in the bout was a draw in what was a very technical and entertaining match.
ChungDoKwan Taekwondo Ireland promotions . . .
Junior students from the Ashbourne Olympic Taekwondo Club who successfully passed their yellow belt grading examinations at the recent ChungDoKwan Taekwondo Ireland promotions day in the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne, Co.
Meath. The gradings were carried out by the group’s chief instructor Master Joe Doyle. Left-right: Callum Thomas,
James Gibney, Alex Zakrzewski and James Keller.
K2C Cork members and sparring partners Joe Hayes
(left) and Emmet Brickley (right) fought an epic exhibition match demonstrating fluent combinations, accuracy and clever ring craft.
Taekwondo player Anna Blake (left) with her instructor
and coach Michelle Hogan.
Five-year-old Mantas Jurkevicius, a member of the
Ashbourne Olympic Taekwondo Club in Co. Meath,
who successfully passed his fist ChungDoKwan Taekwondo Ireland ‘Tiny Tigers’ belt promotion in the
Pillo Hotel.
Ashbourne Olympic Taekwondo Club junior student
Tadg Doran graded to yellow stripe at the ChungDoKwan Taekwondo Ireland promotions day in the Pillo
Hotel, Ashbourne, Co. Meath.
68 I IRISH FIGHTER
Blake, Hogan ‘Best’ winners
A TRIO OF competitors from the Dun Laoghaire, Co.
Dublin-based Irish Taekwondo Tigers Club - under their
instructor and coach Michelle Hogan - competed in the
technical division at a recent ‘Best of the Best’ open allstyles martial arts competition.
Clubs from all around the country, who practice a multitude of martial arts, travelled to compete at the well supported event hosted by well known Dublin Taekwon-Do
black belt Pat White and held in the Roadstone Sports and
Social Club.
‘Tigers’ competitors Anna Blake and Lauren Eiffe along with World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) black belt
Hogan - competed in the Korean forms competition. Blake
and Eiffe performed against each other in a difficult and
large division with the game Blake pipping her team mate
to become the ‘Best of the Best’ champion.
While Eiffe was disappointed to miss out on the
medals, Hogan - who competed in a smaller, senior division - turned on the style to clinch a gold medal. “We had a
great day out at the event,” Hogan commented. “Both
Anna and Lauren did really well in a tough category
where it certainly wasn’t easy.”
Four-year-old Orestas Varnas (above with his proud mum and dad), one of the Ashbourne Taekwondo Club’s ‘Tiny
Tigers’ won a gold medal at a recent one-two-one competition run by ChungDoKwan Taekwondo Ireland.
At the 24-hour Charity Challenge, to raise funds for the
Hillsborgh Justice Campaign (HJC) Hillsborgh Disaster, in Liverpool, England. Left-right: Sensei Steven
Black, Sensei Chris Toner, and Sensei Paul Simpson.
Instructors and students from Northern Ireland who attended a 24-hour Charity Challenge to raise funds for the
Hillsborgh Justice Campaign (HJC) Hillsborgh Disaster. The event was was hosted by Liverpool-based Sensei John
Bell at the Shinsei Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club in Hyton.
Northerners at fund-raiser
A NUMBER of instructors and students from Cobra
Falls Ju-Jitsu Club in Belfast and the Shinsei Ju-Jitsu
Association in Bangor, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
travelled to England recently to coach and train at a
special 24-hour Chairty Challenge to raise funds for
the Hillsborgh Justice Campaign (HJC) Hillsborgh
Disaster.
The martial arts fund raiser was hosted by Liverpool-based Sensei John Bell and took place at the Shinsei Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Club in Hyton. The
event was open to all stylists and attracted practitioners of MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Karate, Kungfu, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, Muaythai, Japanese
Ju-Jitsu, Russian Sambo and Boxing.
“It was a great outing for us all,” Sensei Paul Simpson, of the Cobra Falls Ju-Jitsu dojo, remarked.
“Everyone enjoyed the training and the event went really well with instruction on offer from a great crosssection of styles.”
Ringsend Wado-Ryu Karate Club member Shannon
O’Dhonachadha won a gold medal at the 2013 Irish
Karate International in Ardee, Co. Louth.
INWKF student Joe O’Donnachadha was a double
medallist at the 2013 Irish Karate International in
Ardee, Co. Louth.
Wado-Ryu Karate pair blow away the opposition
Red Start Kickboxing medallist, left-right: Lauren
Bradshaw, Lauren Russell and Karolina Wymyslo.
Kickboxing trio on song
for an athlete so young he somehow managed to keep
his focus in the afternoon with five gruelling fights in
his kumite competition to secure a silver meda.
Meanwhile, Shannon O’Donnachadha was equally
impressive when after two rounds of kata in the black
belt division she easily took gold and then, later that
evening, she narrowly missed out on a kumite medal
by just one point in a contest which may well have had
a different result at any other time.
On the same day the pair’s brother, Martin O’Donnachadha - who trains with the Dealgan Boxing Club
in Dundalk, Co. Louth and fresh from his recent victory in the All-Ireland National Amateur Boxing
Championships - travelled to Arklow to box in a Leinster Selection Fight Night where his opponent retired
in the third round after being trapped in the corner
and pounded with a constant barrage of punches. A
great showing by these young talented INWKF students.
IRISH FIGHTER
Irish National Wado-Kai Federation (INWKF) 7th dan chief instructor and coach Fran Nangle (centre) with Shannon
O’Donnachadha (left) and Joe O’Donnachadha both of whom won medals at this year’s Irish Karate International held in
Ardee, Co. Louth.
I 69
THE NATIONAL All-Ireland Kickboxing Championships
were held over two days at the elegant City West Hotel
in Saggart, Co. Dublin recently. The event, which is Ireland’s only Irish Sport’s Council (ISC) recognised championship, was organised by Kickboxing Ireland, the
governing body for the popular sport in in Ireland.
Representing Red Star Kickboxing, based on the
Ballyboggan Road between Cabra and Finglas, were 15year-old Lauren Bradshaw (Cabra), 16-year-old Lauren
Russell (Finglas) and 17-year-old Karolina Wymyslo
(Blanchardstown). The trio have been training and competing in Kickboxing under their black belt coach Jon
Mackey for many years and all three were very successful at this year’s championships.
Bradshaw added to her impressive line of wins when
she fought her way to gold in the +70kg sparring division
while Russell also secured a gold in the -70kg division.
Later, Wymyslo performed impressively at her first big
Kickboxing tournament settling for a bronze in the -65kg
competition.
Gold medallists Bradsawy and Russell now have the
opportunity to go forward for selection for the Team Ireland national squad who will be attending the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO) Junior
European Kickboxing Championships in Poland later in
the year. “Everyone at Red Star Kickboxing wishes the
girls the very best of luck as they do their best to impress the Kickboxing Ireland national coaches,” Red
Start chief instructor Mackey remarked.
AFTER A five month layoff in training, and following
a very successful 2012 World Karate Championship
campaign, Irish National Wado-Kai Federation
(INWKF) students Shannon O’Donnachadha and Joe
O’Donnachadha recently restarted their training
under chief Instructor Sensei Fran Nangle at his dojo
in Ringsend, Dublin. The 7th dan Wado-Ryu teacher
is now back instructing after some extensive knee surgery.
With only three short weeks of training behind
them the intrepid sibling duo jumped into the deep
end when they had their first competition of the year
at the recent 2013 Irish Karate International held in
Ardee, Co. Louth and boy did they knock the cobwebs
off in style.
First up of the siblings, in what proved a very long
day, was young Joe O’Donnachadha who progressed
through five rounds of kata in the morning to clinch
the gold despite some very stiff opposition, and then
THE LIFE AND BATTLES OF SAIGO TAKAMORI
‘THE LAST SAMURAI’ - A REVIEW
BY PAUL J. O’BRIEN
B.A., N.C.E.H.S., Dip. Acu., Dip. OBB Adv., Dip. CPM, Cert Clin. Med.
M.AFPA, M.ETCMA, M.C.Th.A.
S A TRADITIONAL martial artist and avid
Tom Cruise fan, ‘The Last Samurai’, was a
particularly enjoyable movie for me. Sure it
was historically inaccurate and the Ninja
were laughably portrayed, but the heart and essential philosophy of the movie was captivating. The
beautiful romantic portrayal of the samurai and a
civilisation on the brink of change was moving, and
was later re-told in the special effect driven bonanza
‘Avatar’. However, the actual history of is much less
romantic, but far more intriguing.
With this in mind, and the background of Hans
Zimmer’s, ‘Last Samurai’ soundtrack in the background, I sat down to read the real life account of
Saigo Takamori, written by Mark Ravina. In The
Last Samurai movie Saigo Takamori is depicted as a
reactionary who rejected everything Western and
died valiantly waving a samurai sword, the spiritual
symbol of the traditional samurai, as he rode into the
murderous fire of Western arms. The truth, however,
is more complex.
A
70 I IRISH FIGHTER
Japanese feudalism
Rather than being the staunch defender of the status quo as depicted in the movie Saigo was instrumental in dismantling traditional Japanese
feudalism, including the samurai caste and bringing
Japan into the 19th Century. In fact, he embraced
Western technology and admired some aspects of
Western government. As Ravina writes, Saigo was in
one sense a true samurai, fierce in battle, compassionate in victory, loyal to a fault. A compelling character of study he was tortured by his perception of
himself as a failure, eager to embrace death before
dishonour, yet a man who knew he commanded such
respect that he endangered the Meijin government
by simply refusing to participate in it.
An interesting and captivating insight of his life,
the book analyses the historical facts about a man
who became a living legend, defied, while still alive.
The journey from his humble birth as a poverty
stricken low caste warrior knight, to the confident of
lords and emperors, is a surprising and enjoyable adventure. Combining political intrigue and spiritual
dilemma, Ravina weaves a story about a man, conflicted by his sense of duty to his rank and status,
and his desire for reform.
Perhaps the aspect that surprised me most in this
text was the revelation that Saigo was an advocate of
Western technology and thinking. This is a stark contrast to the thoughtful but highly traditional Saigo of
the movie. Another enjoyable aspect of the book was
the extensive passages devoted to Saigo’s time in
exile. This occurred not once but twice, and from the
historical accounts and excerpt from Saigo’s personal
correspondence Ravina paints a picture of man who
was more comfortable in teaching children and enjoying simple village life, far away from the political
arena, than the courageous and determined Saigo of
the Last Samurai movie.
More so, in seems Saigo was the reluctant and accidental leader of the rebellion that ultimately
claimed his life. Unlike the movie characterisation
where Ken Wantabe’s character is driven to oppose
the emperor and fight a valiant but ultimately
doomed battle against the superior arms of the West
in order to show the emperor the error of his ways,
the true historical Saigo was, in fact, silent on the
matter, wishing to not get involved, having retired
from political life a number of years earlier. Radicals
and rebels took this silence as an endorsement of
their causes and rallied other under Saigo’s respected
banner.
Ultimately Saigo acceded to these demands to lead
the campaign, but his initial plan was to simply go to
the capital and talk. However, the radical continent
made this impossible and Saigo was left with little
choice but to lead a campaign he had no true wish to
begin. Once enmeshed in battle however his fighting
samurai spirit was rekindled and he fought a battle
he knew he would lose.
Again in contrast to the film, the battle itself was
a far cry from the glorious depiction in the film. In
fact, the truth of the matter is that Saigo, along with
key members of his rebellion, fled the battle and escaped, moving from town to town while being chased
by the enforcers of the state. He took on the persona
of a popular folk hero, running from oppressive government and cunningly escaping each situation. During this period the popular press deified him in
woodblock prints and he transcended the reality of
his situation and came to represent the ideal samurai. His true strength was less the reality of the man,
but the symbol he became, the icon he was fictionalised into.
Death and beheading
The point of Saigo’s life, Ravina deftly shows, was
less his actual cultural and physical achievements in
his personal or political life, but as a name and figurehead of propaganda in the Japanese media. During his own life time his acts became larger than life,
stories of his prowess, daring and intelligence became exemplars of samurai life, despite the fact he
found such gossip amusing Saigo realised the importance of this role and bore its burden, leading to his
ultimate death and beheading.
I highly recommend this excellent reflective account of a man who became more than just mortal in
his own life to those interested in Bushido, and the
history of the samurai. It is a brilliant example of
how the precept of Bushido, the philosophical under
pinning of the samurai class, was truly applied and a
wonderful contrast to a film that inspired many to
study to the way of the samurai.
G The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles
of Saigo Takamori by Mark Ravina.
Published by Wiley (2003); ISBN-10:
0471089702 ISBN-13: 978-0471089704.
Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) Ireland instructors and students who trained with visiting Japanese SKIF instructor Sensei Fumitoshi Kanazawa when he
visited Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. A number of students were presented with their dan grading certificates on the day.
South Dublin Taekwondo (SDT) players and coaches met up with Wexford-based Brave Dragon Academy instructor
Master Ponde and his family at the Capital Cup in London, England.
South Dublin Taekwondo (SDT) winners, left-right
Jordan McKenna (silver medal), Jack Woolley (silver),
and Alex Murphy (gold).
‘Cup’ wins for ‘South Dublin’
Members of the St. Mark’s Taekwon-Do School in Tallaght, Dublin are going from strength to strength. During the
school’s 30th anniversary this year their senior instructor Valerie Keane was promoted to ITF 7th degree ‘master’
rank and the dojang’s Taekwon-Do family has also grown steadily from the 1st degree rank upwards. Pictured rightleft, from 1st to 7th degree rank: Master Keane 7th degree, Floyd Keane 6th degree, Deborah Manning 5th degree,
John Paul Nestor 4th degree, Walter McGuinness 3rd degree, Martin Roe 3rd degree, David Fallon 2nd degree, and
Aidan Kelly 1st degree.
Members of the ASKO team. Back, left-right: Andrew Meagher, Séan Doyle, Michael Keating, Nicola Rylands,
Aisling Lavelle, and Anastasia Walsh. Front: Luke Sheehan and Matthew Thomas.
MEMBERS OF the Amateur Sports Karate
organisation (ASKO) competed in an internal club
competition at the Monkstown Karate Club in Co.
Dublin recently.
“It was a great experience for students to learn
about the importance of friendly competition,” ASKO
chief instructor Niall Malone said. “In addition, the
students themselves took part in the refereeing, a
beneficial part of learning.”
At the end of an enjoyable day Nicola Rylands
secured first place, Luke Sheehan got the runner-up
spot and Matthew Thomas settled for third place.
IRISH FIGHTER I 71
A SQUAD OF six players from South Dublin
Taekwondo (SDT) were in England recently where
they competed in what coach Robert Taaffe described
as a ‘test’ tournament in preparations for larger
Olympic style WTF competitions later this year.
“The Capital Cup in London was the ideal event to
test our players,” Taaffe explained. The trip proved a
great day out for the Tallaght Sports Centre-based
dojang with all six players brining home some type of
awards from their respective divisions.
Alex Murphy’s secured a gold medal in a well
controlled final where he used defensive fighting skills
to their fullest. A pleased Taaffe said: “He exhibited
fantastic control of the match. This outing saw the
return of Alex’s recent flying form. A tasty ‘pushing’
kick with seconds to go reinforced his dominance on
the mat.”
Meanwhile, club mate Jack Woolley ended up
taking on the winner of the previous week’s ‘A’ class
Spanish Open Taekwondo Championships in the final
of the -45kg competition. “I think some onlookers saw
Jack’s one point loss as somewhat dubious,” Taaffe
added. “Perhaps because our South Dublin practiced
head shot tactic was waved off by the centre referee as
an invalid type kick. However, it was later validated
by head referee Master Colding as perfectly legal.”
With three head shots disallowed, and a kyongo for kihaping, a 4-3 score line meant Wooley had to settle for
a silver medal this time out. “But in relation to match
experience and mental perspective it was very much a
victory for Jack,” Taaffe said.
Green belt Megan Murphy fought in the red and
black belt competition and went all the way competing
against an experienced black belt in a high scoring
semi-final of 19-16 where she was pipped by an early
head shot. “Whilst Megan was very much punching
above her weight, we were all delighted to see one of
our intermediate players make such a big step up,”
Taaffe commented.
Louise Lawless fought an excellent semi-final,
controlling her match well, even after being punched
straight in face and receiving a nose injury she went
on to clinch a final berth place where she was
delighted to be take home a silver medal. Dylan
Leonard’s kicking speed was fantastic on the day
catching more than a few eyes in a substantial -63
male division with many ‘A’ class players.
Jordan McKenna’s 58kg and 63kg division was
merged once players got to the semi-final stages.
McKenna played against a tall 63kg player in the final
where he was in great form, using his fearless fighting
style to go all the way in an exciting and entertaining
final. “It was a great show of sportsmanship. The end
of match saw Jordan declare a score against him that
the corner judges didn’t see. Well done,” Taaffe said.
“The greatest news of the day was not the match
results, but the focus and discipline of the team,”
Taaffe said. “A small handful of our students were
selected to see how they would do in such an
environment travelling without parents and
supporters.”