Downpatrick Wado Ryu Club sees its members achieve 4 black belt gradings
Noel Kavanagh, a 6th Dan in Wado-Ryu karate, is delighted at the latest grading in the Downpatrick club which meets at the Down Leisure Centre weekly.
Around 25 members practice their art on a regular basis and the club saw four new black belts qualifying – Noel himself moved up a grade to 6th dan.
Noel said: “I first started karate around 1972 and have applied myself to it ever since. I recently qualified in my sixth dan. To achieve this I’ve had to do a number of leadership courses and went to one in Braga in Portugal. Studying at this high level helps bring Wado-Ryu karate all together.
“I’m the chief referee in the whole of Ireland and cover competitions nationally and internationally.
“Our club can always include new members. Progressing is about moving through sessions of warming up, stretching, basic training learning defensive forms, and practising katas and getting involved in kumite (free fighting).
“On average, for every ten students who take up karate, only one will progress to first dan black belt. It’s about dedication and commitment over time.)
Noel praised the three new black belt on achieving their first dan. He said: “Anne Maginn from Teconnaught has progressed to third dan level. She has developed steadily over a period of 10 years since she joined.
“And Stephen Hazzard from Newcastle joined us from another club and eventually reached the first dan level after training consistently.
“Ballykinler teenager Cale Higgins is 14-years old and started karate when he was 8-years old and has came on very well being a dedicated student. Cale is now a junior black belt as he is under 16 and will progress to the senior level once he reaches the age.
“Part of the assessment for a black belt first dan is demonstrating their technigues in set pieces, showing they have reached a high standard in classical katas and also in kumite (free fighting).
“My own son Rory has also in the past qualified at black belt level. He is currently studying for a PhD in Elite Sports looking at the area of concussive injuries mainly in rugby, soccer, boxing and martial arts. I’m sure once he has completed his studies he will get more involved again in karate and progress in the gradings again.”
If anyone in interested in learning the Wado-Ryu style at the club affiliated to the WIKF NI at the Downpatrick Leisure Centre, seniors or juniors, please contact Noel on: 07710610985 for further information.
The club sessions run on Monday 6.30-9pm and on Sunday 2-4pm at Downpatrick Leisure Centre.
(Copyright JimMasson/DownNews ©).
