Washinkai Ireland's annual Spring Gasshuku took place at the Bawnacre leisure complex in Irvinestown recently. The training event was facilitated by the founder of the Washinkai system, 8th Dan Sensei Chris Thompson.
For two hours on the Friday evening senior karate-ka explored lower kyu and black belt level pairs work from the Washinkai syllabus, before Sensei Thompson introduced the group to pachu kata, which is set to become an integral part of the Washinkai syllabus and a favourite on the competition circuit. On the Saturday morning junior students took part in a session that looked at pairs work and kata from 9th kyu right up to 1st kyu.
At the close of the session several students were successfully graded by the chief instructor of Washinkai Karate Ireland, 5th Dan Sensei Dave Martin. This session was followed by another three hour training programme for senior members, where additional pairs work was undertaken, before attention again focussed on Pachu kata, as well the Tomari version of Rohai and the Gojo Ryu kata Seienshin.
The Gasshuku concluded with the successful grading to 2nd Dan black belt of Geraldine McHugh and Noel Irwin, both from Omagh. As ever, Sensei Martin and the members of Washinkai Karate Ireland greatly appreciated Sensei Thompson taking time out from his busy schedule to visit Ireland to facilitate their Gasshuku. Sensei Thompson expressed his own personal delight at being able to do so and congratulated Washinkai Karate Ireland on its high standards and achievements.
Washinkai Karate Ireland, which is a member of ONAKAI (the governing body for karate in Ireland) and a member of BTKA (the governing body for Washinkai Karate), train every Tuesday & Thursday evenings at the Bawnacre Centre in Irvinestown & Wednesday evenings at Trillick Leisure Centre. Courses are available for various age groups from the age of 6 to adults.
Further details can be obtained from the centre itself, or alternatively you can log on to the club's website at www.ulsterkarate.com or contact Dave Martin directly on (028) 68628915 or email him at Dave@ulsterkarate.freeserve.co.uk
