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Ulster Karate-Do Federation UKF Latest News Items - 2009 13th December 2009 - Brown Belt Grading Congratulations to Patrick McEleney, Glen Barron and Padraig Kerlin who achieved 1st Kyu Brown Belt. 29th November 2009 - Black Belt Grading  Congratulations to Dermot McFeely who passed his 1st Dan Grading. Also, congratulations to Denise Donaghey, Martin McCole, Tracey McBrearty, and James McBrearty for passing their 2nd Dan grading. This has been remarkable year for Dermot and Denise who achieved success in competitions at home, London, Carlow, Dublin and Romania. Well done to both of them. They are an inspiration to all UKF Karate-ka. Shihan Noblett would have been proud of you. Also, it has been a very successful year for Martin McCole as he was awarded the rank of Intercontinental Judge (European Judge) at the WUKF championships in Constanta. Well done Martin. 28th November 2009  It is with great sadness that we have learned that Shihan Ritchie Noblett 8th Dan has lost his brave battle against cancer. Shihan Noblett passed away earlier tonight at his home in Port Talbot, Wales. Our thoughts and condolences at this time are with his devoted wife, Liz, his children Chris and Vicky and the family.  I first met Ritchie in 1976 when he was 2nd Dan and I was a humble brown belt. At that time Shihan Noblett was on the Welsh Team and competing at an event in Dublin. I was on a team representing the North of Ireland and we became friends since then. Ritchie  was invited to train with the UKF in 1984 and for 25 years he was Shihan to us in the UKF.  Every Dan Grade in the UKF knows what it was like to train with him. He had very high expectations and he expected high standards in return.  Not only was Ritchie a very special Karate Instructor, he was also a very special friend to all of the UKF members. His contribution to Karate in UK and in Wales in particular and also in Ireland is immeasurable. Ritchie will be very fondly remembered by all Dan Grades in the Ulster Karate-Do Federation and all the students who had the pleasure to train with him as an incredible karate athlete and instructor. Ritchie's influence will be ever present and he will be an inspiration for generations to come.  Rest Peacefully Shihan - you will be fondly remembered. Shihan Noblett as we remember him. Frequently that foot was wrapped around our heads, necks and where ever else he could hit us. All done with a smile. Stretching with a smile, the most flexible karate instructor ever - as we remember Shihan Ritchie Noblett Kissaki Kai Course, Belgium October 2009 L - R: Conor McClean, Neil Kelly, Vince Morris, Gerry Smullan and Chris McFeely IKAB National Championships - 25th October 2009  Members of the UKF Squad attended the Irish Karate Advisory Board National Championships in Dublin. On this occasion it was an Open event. The UKF Squad took 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 6 Bronze Medals. Denise Donaghey took Gold in the Senior Ladies Kumite; Shawn and Glen Barron took Silver in the Advanced Family Kata; Caolin Flanagan took Silver in the 11-12 Boys Kumite. Also, Aaron Flanagan took Bronze in the 9-10 Boys Kumite; Katie Holly took Bronze in the Girls Cadets Kumite; Glen Barron took Bronze in the Lightweight Cadets Kumite; Dean Barron took Bronze in the Men's Senior (Lightweight) Kumite; Liam Campbell took Bronze in the Men's Intermediate Grade Kumite; and a welcome return for John Duddy who took a Bronze Medal in the Men's Senior (Heavyweight) Kumite. He hasn't lost the auld spark yet. Denise Donaghey takes Gold in the Senior Ladies Kumite in the IKAB 2009 National Championships. For more photos click here Course with Sensei Tibor Rostas 6th Dan Wado Ryu  The UKF had a very successful course with Sensei Tibor Rostas 6th Dan in October 2009. The course had three training sessions over 2 days: Kata (Anan, Jion and Chinto); Kumite; and Self Defence and Unarmed Combat. While the course was geared for Adults, the Juniors who attended really enjoyed it as well. UKF Instructors and Students who attended the Course with Sensei Tibor Rostas 6th Dan (Front Centre). Included is Sensei Joe Smith 4th Dan (Back Right) (For more photos click HERE) UKF Success at Carlow Event - October 2009 The UKF Squad had another successful outing at the Carlow Competition (October 11th 2009). The squad took Gold in 4 events, Silver in 3 events, and Bronze in 3 events.  Glen Barron (Gold) in Cadets 3rd Kyu +,  Katie Holly (Gold) in the Female Cadets Under 55k, Laura McGlinchey (Gold) in the Female Cadets 55k+, and the UKF took Gold in the Senior teams. Also, Sean Campbell (Silver) in the Intermediate Grade Cadets Kata, the UKF Female Cadet Team took Silver in their event, and the UKF Senior Team took Silver in the International Team event. In addition, Aisling mcCallion (Bronze) in the Under 55k, Shawn Barron (Bronze) in Masters Individual Kumite, and Dean Barron (Bronze) in the Seniors Individual Kumite. Also, Dermott McLaughlin assisted the Kells Wado-Kai team to take Silver in the Senior team event. Nice to see both UKF Coaches (Shawn and Dermott) coming back with medals, giving inspiration to the UKF Squad members. Furthermore, Denis Donaghey represented the UKF as an Official at the event.  Congratulations to all the UKF Squad. (For more photos click HERE). The Squad before Departure for the Carlow Event New 4th Dan in UKF  At Senior training today (27th Sept 2009), Mary Doherty was awarded her 4th Dan by Shihan Ritchie Noblett 8th Dan. This award was in recognition of Mary's achievements at local, National and on the International stage since her last grading.  On behalf of Shihan Ritchie Noblett, the UKF President Sensei Columba McLaughlin 5th Dan made the presentation. L-R: Dermott McLaughlin 4th Dan, Denis Donaghey 4th Dan, Mary Doherty 4th Dan, Shawn Barron 5th Dan and Columba McLaughlin 5th Dan Success for the UKF at the 1st WUKF European Championships 2009 for Children, Cadets and Juniors - Constanta, Romania  At the 1st WUKF European Championships 2009 for Children, Cadets and Juniors held in Constanta, Romania 3rd - 6th September 2009, the UKF squad achieved success in attaining 2 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze. Denise Donaghey achieved Silver in the Junior Wado-Ryu Female section. She also achieved a Bronze Medal in the Junior Female 60Kgs+. Also, in the hotly contested Cadets Shobu Sanbon Team the UKF team (Dermot McFeely, Glen Barron, Padraig Kerlin and Sean Campbell took Silver against the Romanian Team. See the following page: http://www.wukf-karate.org/novo_site/Outros_Sites/Children_Cadets_2009/Results.html At the event Columba McLaughlin was awarded a WUKF Chief Referee qualification by the WUKF Referee Commission and Martin McCole achieved the rank of European Continental Judge. Overall, a very good event for the UKF. Congratulations and well done to all of the UKF Squad. (For more photos click (HERE) Ulster Karate-Do Federation Officials and Squad at the 2009 September - WUKF European Championships in Constanta, Romania. Columba after being awarded Chief Referee Status by the WUKF Refereeing Commission. Success at the 3rd WUKF World Championships 2009 - Odessa Ukraine  At the 3rd WUKF World Champs in Odessa, Ukraine 27th - 21st June 2009, Shawn Barron, Mary Doherty, Denise Donaghey and Dean Barron competed. Congratulations to Shawn who came home with a Silver medal in the Male Veterans Team and a Bronze medal in the Male Veterans Rotation team. Mary took a Bronze medal in the Individual Female Veteran Wado Ryu Kata. Also, both Mary and Denise along with teammate Aoife Smith took Bronze in the Senior Female Wado Ryu Kata team event. While Columba (World Referee) and Denis (World Judge) validated their WUKF Qualifications, the team would like to congratulate Joe Smith of the NKFI on being promoted to Tatami Chief. Well done to all. Success at the Shikon Tournament 2009 - London The UKF Squad attended the Shikon Tournament in London on Sunday 31st May 2009. This is a new addition to the WUKF calendar and was organised by Sensei Ian Cuthbert 6th Dan. We left Donegal in a cool 24C and landed in London to a blistering 30C+. It was a packed day and there was a large entry from various European countries including the Romanian team. While Denis and Columba helped in refereeing at the event, the UKF Squad Members gave a good account of themselves. Shawn Barron taking 4th place in the Senior Kata  behind the current world champion and 2 ex-world champions. Padraig Kerlin taking 3rd Place in the Cadet Male Kumite Under 70Kgs; Dean Barron and Martin McCole taking joint 3rd place in the Senior Male under 70Kgs kumite; Denise Donaghey took 3rd place in the Senior Female Kumite. However, pride of place goes to the UKF 'A' team who won the Cadet Team event amidst stiff opposition. They were presented with their Medals and a trophy by Sensei Abdu Shaher 7th Dan previous English, British, European and World Champion. The UKF 'A' team consisted of Dermott McFeely, Padraig Kerlin, Sean Campbell, Ciaran Browne and Adam Lafferty. These lads have made remarkable progress in this last 12 months in their Karate and Kumite skills. The UKF is proud of their efforts. Well done lads - you can hold your heads high. For more photos click HERE UKF Squad trains with Sensei Bobby Morton again - May 2009 Well they could not get enough of him in March 2009 and they were 'chomping at the bit' to get him back. On this occasion, it was to prepare the UKF Squad for the Shikon International Tournament in London at the end of May. Again it was a very enjoyable course. Members of the UKF Senior squad in preparation for the Shikon Champs in London. Denis Donaghey, Columba McLaughlin, Bobby Morton, Shawn Barron and Joe Smith The UKF Gain two New 5th Dan Grades - April 2009 At the UKF Invitation Tournament April 2009, Shihan Ritchie Noblett 8th Dan awarded Columba McLaughlin ands Shawn Barron their 5th Dan Grades. Shihan Noblett could not be there in person to make the award due to a number of circumstances. However, his citation for both Karate-Ka was read out on his behalf by UKF Chairman Gerry Smullan 4th Dan. The presentations were made by Sensei Joe Smith 4th Dan NKFI and Dean Barron 2nd Dan UKF. Sensei Bobby Morton with UKF Squad - March 2009  As part of the development of the UKF Squad, Sensei Bobby Morton was invited to take a course. Both Junior and Senior squads had separate sessions. Sensei Morton certainly has a lot of Kumite Craft in him. Also, Gordon Smith, the WUKF Junior Heavyweight Champion trained as well. All those who attended thoroughly enjoyed it. It was agreed that we should have Sensei Morton back over again in the near future. Sensei Bobby Morton (Centre) with members of the UKF Senior Squad. Standing 5th from left at the back is Gordan Smith the current World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Sensei Bobby Morton (Back Centre) with members of the UKF Junior Squad. Coaches Shawn Barron (Back left) and Denis Donaghey (Back right)

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