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Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo Club based at Warrenpoint enjoyed a weekend of outstanding achievement, securing top honours at both national and international level across contest and kata disciplines.
Two of the club’s leading competitors, Dermot McCaul and Paul McConville, travelled to England last weekend to take part in the prestigious High Wycombe Masters, Great Britain’s largest and most competitive club judo tournament. The event attracts elite athletes from across Europe, as well as international entries from South America and African nations, making it one of the most hotly contested fixtures on the masters’ calendar.
For Paul McConville, competing in the Under 81kg category, the competition marked a career milestone. A regular medallist here over the years with multiple silver and bronze awards, gold had always eluded him until now. In a flawless display of skill and tactics, he won every one of his contests with decisive ippon throws, finally claiming the top spot and a well-deserved gold medal.
Dermot McCaul, a three-time bronze medallist at High Wycombe, fought in the Under 90kg division. After an unlucky defeat in his opening bout, he fought his way through the repechage rounds in pursuit of a medal. He made a brilliant start to his comeback, winning his first repechage contest with an ippon within seconds, before going on to push the current champion to the very limit in a tight, hard-fought encounter that narrowly went against him.
Both athletes now have their sights set on a busy autumn schedule, with the Irish Masters Open in Dublin and the British National Championships being held in Scotland this year both taking place in October.
Success was also achieved closer to home at Judo Ireland’s Irish Open Kata Championships, which welcomed entries from England and Scotland alongside Ireland’s finest practitioners.
Nigel O’Neill and Damien O’Hare, widely respected for their deep understanding and technical mastery of all Kodokan judo katas, entered two self-defence-focused categories: Kime No Kata and Kodokan Goshin Jutsu. The pair delivered polished, high-scoring performances to take gold in both disciplines extending their remarkable record as champions for the third year running.
Shinken Shobu Ryu stands apart as the only club in Ireland to teach judo in its entirety, covering not only competition training but also the full range of traditional katas. The club caters for all interests, including dedicated self-defence classes for those who wish to learn practical skills without taking part in competitions.
It was a weekend that highlighted the depth, quality, and versatility of coaching and talent within the club and one that members, coaches, and supporters will remember with great pride.
The dojo has also expanded its offering recently, with Karate classes now running on Wednesday evenings and Kenpo Jujitsu sessions available on Mondays, under the guidance of Chief Instructor Gerard Moore.
