The Mizukara Karate clubs in Ards and Bangor recently hosted a kumite (sparring) course in Ards Blair Mayne Leisure Centre. The course was attended by members of the local clubs and members of JB Karate from County Kildare. Sensei Ian Cuthbert (Director of Kumite for Karate England) was assisted by Sensei Jack Gould, (European Silver medallist) and one of the current top athletes in the Karate England squad. The morning began with the children’s session. This involved sparring drills, speed training and finished with some sumo wrestling fun. In the senior session, once the warn-up was completed the main focus was footwork drills, then applying them in a kumite situation. To complete the class there was some condition training, sprints and recovery stretching. Following the course a senior grading was held. This was assessed by the above senseis, Sensei David Brashaw and Sensei Patsy Whelan (Chairman of Karate Ireland).The results of the grading were as follows. A 2nd kyu brown belt was awarded to Victoria Magreehan and a 1st kyu brown & black belt was awarded to Anna McCormick.
International athletes Levi Kane and Amy Adair, who both hail from Conlig were awarded their 1st Dan and 2nd Dan black belts respectively. Coach David Brashaw added “I am delighted for each of these students, brown and black belts are a very challenging grade to achieve. All of them will continue to inspire students throughout our clubs. In particular I am so pleased for Levi and Amy to advance to their new black belt grades. It is a commendable achievement.
