The Irish Shotokan Karate Union (ISKU) held its championships recently in Cork.

Juniors and Seniors had to compete at an extremely high standard to gain the prized 1^st place trophies.

For many juniors it was their first taste of competition and even with first time nerves they competed like champions which earned them the greatest respect from Instructors, Referees and the large crowd who came to support the event.

There were several categories hotly contested as last years winners not wanting to relinquish their title, some been successful keeping their titles while others having to succumb to a very high standard of competition at both junior and senior level.

The finals were certainly worth the wait with some very exciting semi-finals and grand-finals taking place. Many of the seniors looked on in awe as to the high level of standard chasing them up the ladder and as one senior remarked, " I'm glad that I'm in the senior section as I'd have no hope against some of those juniors".

The awards ceremony was a pleasure for both the contestants, officials, instructors and spectators  alike. Thanks were given to all the judges, referees and time keepers who gave up their day to make it a huge success for all involved.

Individual  Kata:

U10: 1^st Vicky Collins, 2^nd Adam O' Sullivan, 3^rd James O' Callaghan

U15: 1^st Jonathan Collins, 2^nd  Laura Kinneally, 3^rd David O' Sullivan

Senior: 1^st  Tom Butler, 2^nd Stephen O' Sullivan, 3^rd Paul Gallagher

Individual Kumite:

U 8: 1^st Conor Horgan, 2^nd Andrew O' Keeffe, 3^rd Luke Hickey

U 10: 1^st Ellen Crowley, 2^nd Neil O' Donavan, 3^rd David O' Keeffe

U 12 Girls: 1^st Jill Martin, 2^nd Denise Kelleher, 3^rd Sinead Morris

U 12 Boys: 1^st Owen Hayes, 2^nd Conor Buckley, 3^rd Jonathan Crowley

U 15 Girls:  1^st Lisa Campion, 2^nd Maria Allworth, 3^rd Sinead Morris

U 15 Boys 1^st Darren Crowley, 2^nd David O' Callaghan, 3^rd Jonathan Collins

Senior Ladies: 1^st Carmel Downey, 2^nd Maria Allworth, 3^rd Mary Hickey

Senior Men's:  1^st  Ben McAceere, 2^nd Tom Butler, 3^rd Mark Healy

Team Kata:

1^st Silversprings Karate Club, 2^nd Lough Karate Club, 3^rd Ovens Karate Club

Team Kumite:

U 10 1^st Lough Karate Club, 2^nd Ovens Karate Club, 3^rd Farenree Karate Club

U 13 1^st Lough Karate Club, 2^nd Oldcourt A Karate Club, 3^rd Oldcourt B karate Club

U 15 1^st Ovens A Karate Club, 2^nd Ovens B Karate Club, 3^rd Glasheen Karate Club

Senior: 1^st Ovens Karate Club, 2^nd Lough Karate Club, 3^rd Oldcourt Karate Club