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The Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo club based in Warrenpoint have had a busy 3 weeks with team members competing locally in Craigavon and further afield in Dublin and High Wycombe.
First up father and son team Martin and Charlie Fearon competed at the Shinsei judo club Kyu grade (coloured belts) shiai competition. The pair travelled to the South Lakes’ Leisure Centre, Craigavon, on 18 May. Not only are they father and son but both won matches by Kesa Gatame (hold down) for Osaekomi (timed pin). Both father and son secured silver medals. A great achievement for Charlie as this was his first ever competition.
Next up on Saturday 24 May head coach Dermot McCaul and Paul McConville travelled to England to test their shiai skills at the High Wycombe Masters. This competition attracts competitors from across Europe and beyond. Dermot who gives up so much of his time to running the club and the development of his students faced down some tough challengers and secured a Bronze medal. It would be difficult to find anyone with a technical knowledge on par with Dermot. Then Paul made his move, Paul is a groundwork specialist and can tie even the most experienced competitor up in knots. This was on display when he one match when he had submitted his opponent in such away that his opponent and other competitors where left wondering how he managed it with such ease. Paul had an amazing showing and secured a silver medal.
Damian O’Hare at the Irish Open Judo
Kata Championships
The next day Sunday 25 May it was time for the Kata team to step up to the mark. Coach Nigel O’Neil and his kata partner Damian O’Hare attended the Irish Open Judo Kata Championships. The team are heave favourites due to the fact that Shinken Shobu Ryu is one of the highest quality Kata clubs in the UK and Ireland. Nigel and Damien competed in three categories:
Kime no Kata: The Kata of real fighting
Katame no kata: The Kata of Ground fighting techniques
Kodakan goshin jutsu: The Kata of self defence
Against tough competition from across Ireland and the UK, Nigel and Damien held their nerve. After a full day they had secured 1st place in all three categories.
On Sunday 1 June Head coach Dermot and Club team mate Patrick McCambridge attended the national Dan (Black belt) Grading. Paddy has already won his 100 points via competition, which left him needing to complete the technical portion of the grading. This involves testing on throwing, pinning, chokes/Strangles and joint locks as well as performing a Kata. Paddy had success performed all eliminates and has been awarded his 2nd Dan. Dermot who has already achieved his technical dan grade was facing a line up of other black belts to gain the points for his competitive 3rd dan. Dermot fought valiantly however did not reach the full 100 points. We have every confidence that Dermot will gain these points in the next outings, starting with the British Masters.
The team will in the coming weeks be running a ladies self-defence course and a new beginners class. To register your interest simply email the team at Shinkenshobu2021@gmail.com
