Congratulations to Ian Jackson, Simon O’Dowd and Chris Gallagher on winning O.N.A.K.I. national Champtionships on Sunday 23rd November 2003.

And so it continues!

The Karate Union of Ireland finished off a busy year after competing in the World Shotokan Karate Association W.S.K.A. in Zurich, Switzerland in September 2003. A group of nineteen travelled to Sunderland, England for the European Shotokan Karate Association Championships E.S.K.A. and they had plenty to cheer about, Ian Jackson after winning his area just missed out on the medals when he was beaten in quarter finals. Well done Ian.

In the Team event Ireland we were against Germany, a rematch of Cyprus 2002 Championships. Germany won and went on to the finals, were they were beaten by Sweden.

There was a special presentation to Tommy McGrane during the championships on his retirement. Tommy really enjoyed himself and said it was great to watch all the K.U.I. competitors who had all done really well. There was a special presentation to all the countries that attended, of a Bronze-casting Medal of the late Sensei Eneoda.

The K.U.I. will be looking forward to 2004 not only will they have European Championships but also J.K.A. European and World Events to compete in. Sensei Otha is in Dublin in February 2004 to do squad training for the K.U.I. members and also grading J.K.A.

The K.U.I. squad training is the last Sunday of every month and has competed in World and European Shotokan Championships since 1980

Well-Done K.U.I.