Some five hundred plus competitors recently participated in the Karate Ireland National Championships at the National Sports Stadium in Dublin. Among them were a number of local karate athletes from the Mizukara clubs in Ards and Bangor.
The highlight of the results was Amy Adair, who claimed another Irish title. This time in the women’s individual kumite (sparring) event. Local coach David Brashaw commented. “Amy has had a couple of super years in karate. Just prior to the lock-down training restrictions were enforced Amy medalled at the world championships. In late 2022 she was awarder her 1st Dan black belt by Sensei Ian Cuthbert 8th Dan and now has stepped up in the senior section to claim this title, a title that she previously won as a junior. A tremendous achievement.”
There was double-silver joy for Susanna Reavy. Coach Brashaw added “Susanna was within touching distance of double-gold, which is no mean feat at this level. She narrowly missed out in both categories but definitely shown her potential for winning medals at international competitions.”
The third medal winner was Anna McCormick. Anna earned double bronze via her individual kumite and kata. Coach Brashaw was delighted with this, in particular he highlighted her semi-final where she competed in an all-action nail-biter against the eventual winner losing 6:5, the smallest possible margin.
In the cadets’ section Ben Ritchie collected his first Irish nationals medal, a bronze in the individual kumite, where he was outscored in the semi-final by the current European cadets’ champion. None the less, a fantastic performance and great experience.
Finally in his first Irish nationals, young Dylan McBride was placed just outside the medals with a fourth place in his individual kata event.
Coach Brashaw added “We are all delighted and proud of our karate students and the support they receive from their families. Many of them are now looking forward to the Karate Northern Ireland Championships in February where we hope to have many new competitors.”