UKF
Latest News Items - 2007
UKF
Resigns from the UKC - April 2007
After many years of membership the UKF
decided to resign its membership of the Ulster Karate Council. This was quite
difficult for the UKF as it was a Founder member of the UKC and many good
friends remained there. Nonetheless, there were a number of reasons for this
decision and while those that don't know the facts can speculate all they
want, the specific reasons why the UKF resigned from the UKC are not for
discussion here. The UKF General Committee and the UKF Technical Committee
were fully involved and democratically took the decision to leave and
they decided to seek full membership of the World Union of Karate-Do
Organisations (WUKO). The UKF already were in membership of the Irish Karate
Advisory Board (IKAB) and the Irish Martial Arts Commission (IMAC). The path
was set for autonomous existence and the UKF were up to the challenge.
Self
Defence Course with Professor Rick Clark 8th Dan - May 2007
Professor Rick
Clark has created the Ao-Denkou Kai. He is a world renowned expert on the
martial application of acupressure points, kata bunkai and vital points. He
has Dan grades in a variety of martial arts including 8th Dan Ryukyu Kempo
Karate, 7th Dan Tae kwon do, 7th ju-jitsu, 5th Judo, 3rd Dan Arnis, 1st Dan
Hapkido. He was invited to do a seminar with members of the UKF and other
local martial arts organisations. This was a brilliant and very pro active
seminar with a major focus on the 'Pressure Points'. At the commencement of
the course - Prof Clark said that we we would experience a lot of pain and
that it was up to each one of us whether we left 'Laughing' or 'Crying' - he
was right. It was excruciating in the amount of pain dealt out and we did
have to choose whether to laugh or cry. Nonetheless, all agreed that it was a
brilliant seminar.
Membership
of the World Union of Karate-Do Organisations (WUKO) - May 2007
In May of 2007, Dr.
Columba McLaughlin secured full membership of the World Union of Karate-Do
Organisations (WUKO). However, this meant that he would have to travel to the
WUKO World Championships in Valencia in June 2007. His main objectives at
this event were to affirm UKF membership of WUKO, establish links with likeminded
karate-ka, and to gain refereeing experience at world level - Not an easy set
of objectives.
Referee
Course (Aileach Centre) - June 2007
The UKF held its first autonomous referee course
in the Aileach Centre in June 2007. Columba McLaughlin 4th Dan and a
previous Senior Referee with UKC took the course. Columba has had a long
history in refereeing. He commenced his referee training in 1978 under Sensei
George Canning (EKU Referee). Whilst a member of UKC, he studied under the
highly respected Keith Mumberson and then with Chico Mabawke and achieved
Senior Referee status in UKC under the well known Terry Boyle. On this, the 1st
UKF Referee course it was Columba's aim to kick start a UKF Referee training
programme. Also, it would give Columba valuable experience prior to him
Refereeing at the WUKO World Championships in Valencia later this month. The
UKF Referee course was well attended with 20 participants. The WUKO Rules of
Kumite, were similar to that of the WKC, and this led to a lively debate
regarding some differences. Columba is to seek further explanation from the
WUKO Referee Commission whilst in Spain.
UKF
Brown Belt Gradings - June 2007
The UKF held its
bi-annual Brown Belt grading in June 2007. Successful candidates were: Gavin
Shields, Hannah Millar, Holly Millar, Patrick McEleney and Chris MCCallion
who all achieved 3rd Kyu. Also, Matthew Spain achieved 1st Kyu Brown Belt.
Congratulations and well done to all.
UKF
at WUKO World Championships in Valencia - June 2007
The UKF was represented at the WUKO world
championships in Valencia, Spain in June 2007. Columba McLaughlin
travelled, re-established contacts with old friends, made new contacts and
gained valuable Refereeing experience. In addition, he was awarded WUKO Judge
status. All the study of the Rules and the practical experience paid off.
Whilst in Valencia, Columba trained with Shihan Kando Shibamori 8th Dan,
Sensei Tibor Rostas and the Hungarian Wado team. All in all, it was a very
successful event and boded well for the future of the UKF.
L-R: Columba, Shihan Shibamori Sensei, and
Tibor Rostas
From Left: Leslie Safar, Ed Otis, and
Columba at the WUKO World Champs in Valencia, Spain
Kissaki
- Kai Course - October 2007
A very successful
course with Kissaki-Kai Chief Instructor Vince Morris 8th Dan was organised
by Sensei Gerry Smullan in the Aileach Centre. The 2-day course was very well
attended and the many applications of Kata Bunkai were practiced.
Unfortunately, Columba was unable to participate in the course as he was
recovering from a broken Calcaenum bone in the foot and had just got the
plaster off - that's what you get when you climb a tree with an unsecured
ladder - he will be more careful the next time.
Participants at the Kissaki-Kai course with
Sensei Vince Morris 8th Dan (Centre).
UKF
Annual Course and Dan Grading - October 2007
The UKF held its annual training course with Shihan Ritchie Noblett
8th Dan. Whilst the morning training sessions were held in the Aileach Centre
in Burnfoot, the evening sessions were held as usual in either Claudy,
Waterside, and Falcarragh. The Dan grading was held in the Falcarragh club on
Sunday evening.
UKF Seniors with Shihan Ritchie Noblett 8th Dan and new Dan
Grades. Standing 1st on left is Sensei Denis Donaghey who was awarded his 4th
Dan by Shihan Noblett. Also, kneeling at the front from left are: Denise
Donaghey 1st Dan, Martin McCole 1st Dan, Tracey McBrearty 1st Dan, James
McBrearty 1st Dan.
UKF
Squad training - November 2007
In preparation for the upcoming IKAB - Irish
National Championships in Dublin, the UKF Squad session was busier than ever.
This will be the 1st time that the UKF has attended a national championships
in Dublin since 1982. It’s been a while since we last competed in Dublin at
the Irish National Championships - we will need to rectify that......
UKF Squad getting ready for the Irish
National Championships - November 2007
National
Karate Championships (IKAB), Dublin - November 2007
The IKAB held its annual championships on 25th
November 2007 in Blanchardstown, Dublin. The UKF travelled to the event with
a large contingent. Despite the UKF being founder members of IKAB and being
members for a good few years, this was the first time that members of the UKF
had participated in an Irish National event in almost 25 years. Denis
Donaghey attended and gained refereeing experience. Congratulations to:
Sharon Campbell (Gold), Padraig Kerlin (Gold), Conall Gill (Gold), Dwayne
Robb (Silver), Laura McGlinchey (Silver), Denise Donaghey ( 2 X Silver),
Glenn Baron (Silver), Conor Kerlin (Silver), Anne Marie Bradley (Silver),
Patrick McEleny ( 2 X Silver), Adam Anderson (Silver), Cormac McEleny
(Bronze), Sean Campbell (Bronze), Roisin Kerlin (Bronze), Danny Carton
(Bronze), David Bell (Bronze). Of a total of 28 Organisations that took part
in the event, the UKF ranked 3rd overall in the medal tables. Congratulations
to all. It was a really magnificent first National Championships for the UKF.
UKF
Brown Belt Grading - December 2007
The UKF held its winter's Brown Belt grading in the Aileach
Centre (Burnfoot) in December 2007. Congratulations are extended to Dermot
McFeely who successfully graded 2nd Kyu and Padriag Kerlin who successfully
graded 3rd Kyu. Well done lads and well deserved. A very good end to a very
busy year - Wow - now for the Christmas Hols and then to do it all again in
2008 :-)
