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"Our club welcomes anyone to come and give Karate a try - our members include everyone from absolute beginners to trained black belts, and - contrary to expectations - gender, previous experience and current fitness are unimportant - the symbolism of the white uniform that many karateka wear is that, apart from the coloured belt that denotes advancment of training, all are considered equal.

Shotokan Karate is a high yield, high impact style of self defence which seeks to maximise body power through correct application of technique, covering a range of strikes, kicks and grappling techniques. Through training, karate students find they develop in three main areas - self defence, health and fitness, and self confidence. The ultimate goal of Karate, however, is the perfection of the character of the individual.

Our club gradings are held every three months in the club under the watchful of our club instructor, Sensei Joe McCullagh. All the kihon, kata and kumite needed are covered in class well in advance and we are always helping our students towards grading at the highest possible standard.

Although not competition orientated the club has an excellent record e.g. at the Irish Intervarsities numerous first and second places were achieved over the past few years in both individual and team events which was recognised by the University when the club was awarded the Hurst Trophy at the 2006 Colours Awards ceremony.

If you have any questions at all regarding the club, dont hesitate to contact us at uucshotokan@yahoo.com, or check out the site at www.uucshotokan.co.uk. "

Keith Millar, Sensei Joe McCullough and Connor Brannigan

Club Coach Sensei Joe McCullough

Last weekend (Saturday 16^th Feb 2008) saw the University of Ulster’s Shotokan Karate club achieve outstanding success at the 2008 All Ireland Intervarsity championships in Belfast, not only comprehensively mopping up the trophies in the Kata events but also winning the overall competition, thus making them the All Ireland Karate Champions 2008.

Results:

Senior Men’s team Kata

1^st (Connor Brannigan, Nigel Ternan, Joel Tracey)

2^nd (Ben Cowley, Duarte Molha, Ching Lun Tsang)

Senior Men’s individual kata

3^rd Duarte Molha

Junior Ladies’ team Kata

1^st (Dierdre Carey, Louise Casey, Caroline Jameson)

Intermediate Ladies’ team Kata

2^nd (Dierdre Carey, Louise Casey, Caroline Jameson)

Junior Mens team kata

1^st (Martin Keating, Ross McGrory, Noel McAfee)

Junior Men’s individual Kata

1^st (Martin Keating)

2^nd (Noel McAfee)

UUC Shotokan is one of the University’s longest established clubs and is the founding club of the North Shotokan Karate Academy, having been coached for the last 20 years by Sensei Joe McCullagh, 5^th Dan, the most senior Shotokan instructor in Ireland. This year’s results have almost doubled the number of medals won at intervarsity competitions by UUC Shotokan, and reinforces their position as the leading university karate team in Ireland.

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