Sunday the 11th December.... Nunchaku seminar.
Grading, Sunday the 4th of December.
The studio hosted its last grading of the year with over 60 students grading from junior yellow, to 3rd kyu brown.
Proffesor Downey organised the crowd and put all the students to the test. He was very happy with the results
AMERICAN KENPO KARATE SEMINAR.
On Thursday the 15 of September, Tullamore Kenpo Karate Studio, Patricks Court, Patrick Street ; hosted a karate seminar , with Master of the Arts, John Sepulveda, 9 degree black belt and Professor Downey, 7 degree black belt and European Director of American Kenpo Karate.
American Kenpo Karate is renowned throughout the world of Karate and Martial Arts, as being the ultimate in street self defence.
Two seminars took place on the night. The first was held for junior members of the Tullamore Studio , from beginners to advanced brown belts.
Master Sepulveda explained to the parents that the method of teaching he was using, was first used by him, in special schools, in the USA in the early 80’s , in order to get children with learning disorders to concentrate and follow instruction.
At the end of one hour, all the students, no matter what level , had memorized a series of moves which they then performed in front of other students and watching parents. A fantastic achievement !
The second seminar was held for senior members. Master Sepulveda took two of Kenpo’s street self defence moves, something that Kenpo is famous for, and showed how they may be altered and used in any confrontation on the street. The seniors were put into pairs and worked hard in order to perfect these defences.
As Master Sepulveda is one of the highest ranking Kenpo Masters in the world; it is a great tribute to Mr Jack Smith and the students of the Kenpo karate Studio, that he considers Tullamore such a productive Kenpo Studio, that he stops off to teach, on his tour of Europe.
Grading Sunday the 4th of September. Lusma Banagher.
11am, students from the studio travelled to Banagher and joined Mr Well's students to grade to their next level.
Mr Downey was happy with the progress he has seen in our students and stated they were of a good standard. Congratulations to all.
Summer grading July 2011After a fantastic summer camp and a lot of hard work from April to July. The students were ready to grade again, to their next level.
Mr Downey took a large group fo both juniors and seniors and put them to the test. The result was yet another 100% pass for all the students
Grading Saturday 16th April.2011
2pm today the first of two gradings took place in the studio. From yellow belt to green. The studio was full and Mr Downey took every one through their relative belt levels. Everyone tried their best with Mr Downey saying he was impressed with the over all standard.
The second test was for the teenage training group and adults. This test was a little more intense, as there were teenage 4th kyu brown and senior blue
belt testing. All students did well.
Mr Downey commented on the fact that at this level the brown belts should be starting to get a better knowledge of the kenpo system; asking questions and looking for more. He also stated that as kadet teachers, their involvement in the studio should start to grow.
Mr Smith would like to congratulate all the students, of which he is very proud. He would also like to give a big thank you to all the perents, who take the time each week to bring their child to the studio .
Midlands Championships.. Sunday 10th April 2011..... Portlaoise.
Again a good group of students with parents left Tullamore about 10am, and took the short drive over to Partlaoise. Some new faces this time, shows that the studio's interest in Championship competitions is growing. This can only be a good thing.
All students did very well and gave a great effort; this is what makes parents and instructors proud. Taking part and having a go, makes you all winners.
Three students came home with Trophies. Danni, Liam and Conor. Well done.
St Patrick's Day Parade Wednesday the 17th of March.................
This years parade went very well. All the students performed well and impressed the crowds with thier moves. Thank you to all who took part. It shows we have a good strong studio, where every one is willing to pull together. CELBRIDGE CHAMPIONSHIPS. FEBRUARY 2011
On Sunday the 20th of February, the studio again left Patrick street early. A convoy of cars travelled to Celbridge for the kenpo championships. ( a big thank you to all the parents for your time)
All the students worked very hard, with forms and sparring. For some it was their first time and maybe a little bit scary, but for most, it was their second.
Mr Smith was a judge in one of the area's, so he knows how close some of the students came to a trophy, and for all the students that did't take a trophy home, your still winners, for doing what you did and next time you will be even better .
At the end of the day, Tullamore came home with five trophies, for sparring and forms. Well done to Jamie Harte, Ocean/ willow/ forrest McCormack, Mrs OBrien and her daughter Melissa
On Saturday the 5th of February 2011, the studio held its first Nunchaku Seminar. Rachel and Mathew Maher, ran both a junior and senior class with grate success.
They have already been invited back for the next seminar.
All the satudents were very pleased with the input thet recieved.
At 11am on Sunday the 23 of January 2011 , a grading took place at the, Tullamore Kenpo Karate Studio, .
A whole group of children were tested, from their beginners white belt, up to the more advanced brown belt. The examiner, Professor Edward Downey, 7 Degree Black Belt had travelled from Cellbridge , in order to check the standard of their kenpo .
In front of a large group of parents and friends all the students were put through their paces.
Professor Downey stated that the students had a good knowledge of American Kenpo Karate and its street self defence techniques, and was glad to see a good range of colours in the belts.
The seniors were also tested, later that day and again were found to be of a high standard.
North East Kenpo Championships Mullagh , Verginia, County Cavan.
Sunday 14th November...2010........................................
We all met on Patrick Street, Tullamore, just before 10 am , A row of nine cars in total, all filled with junior and senior members and of course, the parents/ drivers ( kenpo groupies! )
A journey of around 1, 3/4 hours through, - degree temperatures, and thick fog, found us at the venue. After registration, the day began.
First was the forms, followed by sparring, starting with the youngest.
Students were divided into age groups, so the lower belts had to work really hard to be placed. Then came the forms to music and weapons forms.
All the students worked very hard in their respective divisions, showing great spirit and determination. These future black belts will , I'm sure, one day, become, Irish Champions !
The end of the day saw the studio coming home with two trophies.
Melissa took first place for her form.
Ocean took second place for the 15 to 16 year old boys sparring.
A very big thank you to all the parents for your commitment, without you, none of this is possible.
Tullamore Sparring Championships.........................
Thank you to all the junior members who took part in the Championships. Every one worked realy hard and gave 100%.
The day was devided into three sections.
The following pictures are the, winner and runner up of each section...
and some action pictures of the day.
A special thank you to all the seniors, who made the day go so well,
especially to Mr Ger Walsh 2nd Dan , Shotokan. Our guest judge.
See the article in either of the local papers. Tullamore Tribune. or
Offaly Express
TULLAMORE OPENS.....12/12/2010..
On Saturday the 12th of December, three of our junior students, together with their parents, attended the first Tullamore Open Championships, organised by Tullamore Shotokan Club.Thank you to all the parents who took the time to attend.
The event was well attended by students from many types of martial arts clubs from as far away as County Cork.
Jack Dolan, an orange belt, from the studio coming away with a first place in the sparring and second in the forms.
well done to all the students who attended.
Mr & Mrs White Visit The Studio....... 18th October 2010.
On Monday the 18th at 630pm Master Bob White, 9th degree Black Belt and his wife Barbara 4th degree Black Belt, Took the junior class for a seminar. The theme of the class was karate sparring competitions. As we are all aware Mr White has been responsible for producing over 40 world champions.So the training that took place and the advice given was of the highest quality. As we have never been involved in a competition before, Mr and Mrs White made the children aware of what would be expected of them and the basic moves needed to do well. The children were told that, at the end of any competition, they will always come out a winner, because they will have gained so much more knowledge and experience than they had, before they started. That in itself was a good thing, no matter whether they were first second or twenty second.
On Sunday the 10th of October, the Studio performed their second public demo, in the old Texas Building, behind the Studio. This was in conjunction with, Discover Ireland, ( Tullamore) day.
Thanks to all the students for their efforts. We have had a good responce from the public, who enjoyed all your efforts.
SEMINAR. Master SEPULVEDA. 15th September 2010.
Master Sepulveda attended the Studio where the juniors, were first given a fantastic seminar, as only Mr Sepulveda can do. All levels from second week students to green belt, were put through their paces, with all students, no matter what level of competence, understanding and enjoying what they were asked to do.Then came the chance for the senior seminar, with practicle street self defence being the theme.
Feed back from students is amazing after a visit from Mr Sepulveda. With every one wanting to know when will he be back......The answer to that is, as soon as we can get him back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Wednesday the 20 of January the Studio hosted its first guest martial arts instructor. Mr Philip Sahagun; a master of Kung Fu, Ju Jitsu, Kenpo Karate, and Weapons. Juniors from the Studio were taken through their paces with a basic kung fu lesson, ending in Mr Sahagun ,spinning, flipping and kicking his way around the room, to the amazement of the class ! The adult class was more of a practical theme where Mr Sahagun gave tuition in Ju Jitsu showing the adults various take downs, locks and ground work.
He is teaching out of his family owned and operated school "South Coast Martial Arts" Costa Mesa, CA and continues to tour the world for numerous projects and performances.
....................................................................................................................
EUROPEAN KENPO CAMP. MAY 2010
Another fantastic camp this year, thanks to Proffesor Downey and all the people behind the scene( you know who you are)
Thank you to all the students who attended the camp and for the effort you put into it whilst there.
The first ever public demo took place on Sunday the 27th, at the Rugby Club, Tullamore.
Adults, juniors and parents all turned out for this event which was being held by Tullamore rehab centre, as a fund raising day.
The demo it self lasted half an hour and all students did very well. Members of the public were very impressed with what they saw and complimented Mr Smith on the standard of his students.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK THE TIME TO COME DOWN.........
