Since
it's foundation in 1973 Shotokan
Karate Clonmel has become part of the
heritage and history of the town. We
cater for student aged 6 to 60.
In
our classes a lot of emphasis is placed on
your personal
development through consistent and
constructive training in various disciplines such as
karate, kickboxing,
fitness training, practical self
defence and
Tai
Chi.
My invitation extends to everybody
whether they are highly competitive or whether they
just want to improve fitness and self confidence.
Each individual is encouraged to
decide what it is they want
from their training.
John
Aylward
C l u b N o t e s J u n e 2 0 0 8
Regular Club
Training now in
Loreto Sports Complex
Tuesday 6.30pm – 8.30 pm Beginner
to Black Belt.
Thursday 6.30pm – 8.30 pm Beginner to
Black Belt.
_______________________________________________________
Sport Karate
Seminar
Prof.
Giuseppe Romano
Our recent
four hour sparring course here in Shotokan
Karate Clonmel with guest instructor
Prof. Giuseppe Romano
was a very informative and enjoyable exploration
of modern sport karate sparring training as
practiced by the World Karate Federation.
Students and instructors from Clonmel were
joined by karate enthusiasts from Clare,
Tipperary, Kilkenny, Dublin and Cork. We would
like to sincerely thank all those who
participated on the course making it such a
success.
Giuseppe Romano told us he started as a Shotokan
karate stylist at age eight under Sensei
Lambrato in Italy. As a teenager in Rome he
practiced Wado Ryu Karate and today he is the
Technical Manager of the Philippine National
Team. He is director of three karate clubs in
Naples area of Italy where he teaches sparring
regularly. Shotokan Karate Clonmel is indeed
very fortunate to be able to avail of the
technical expertise of Sensei Romano.
After an extensive and progressive warm up the
class continued with kick training drills in
order to give competitors a wider arsenal of
scoring techniques. In traditional based
sparring where only two or three scores count
kicks are often neglected. This is not the case
in W.K.F. fighting. Sensei's incredibly
versatile and relaxed kicking style was a
delight to watch. Good control accuracy and
speed were emphasised throughout making it a
much safer event. Master Romano said Irish
karate was very strong but we do need some work
to transform from traditional to sport karate
style of fighting.
In 2002 Prof Romano took up the role of Head
Coach of Philippine National Team where he
transformed their rigid traditional style of
fighting into the dynamic versatile sport karate
of today. In this time the Philippine National
team has won many gold medals including
..........................
1) 3 gold in South East Asian Games 2005;
2) 1 silver in Asian Games 2006;
3) Super champion in Italy 2005 Grado;
4) 3 Golden open Austria 2005;
5) 2 gold in Open San Marino 2005;
6) 6 gold in Csit Championschips in Cervia Italy
2007
7) 5 gold in Sardinia Open 2007 - Italy
8) 5 silver & 6 bronze in South East Asian Games
2007
Clonmel black belt and local club member Eamonn
Ryan is also a member of the Philippine National
Team Panel. In 2006 he went to Philippines to
compete in karate tournament where he was
invited by the Philippine Karate President
Eduardo Ponce to represent Team Philippines.
Last year Eamon travelled to Naples to train
with Master Guiseppe Romano. He hopes to return
to Naples later this year to join up with
Philippines National Team for further training
with Master Romano.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Sensei
Romano for a very enjoyable event and we look
forward to future visits.
Shotokan
Karate Clonmel recently hosted U.S. Martial Artist
Prof. Rick Clarke.
Born in 1948 Professor Rick Clarke has been studying
and teaching martial arts since 1962. Professor
Clarke has spent his life learning and teaching
various arts and holds some impressive grades ; 8th
Dan Ryukyu Kempo Karate, 7th Dan Tae Kwon Do Chung
Do Kwan, 7th Dan Ju Jitsu, 5th Dan Judo, 3rd Dan
Modern Arnis and 1st Dan Hapkido. In spite of his
many and impressive grades the “humble and down to
earth” instructor went to great pains (literally) to
explain and demonstrate his skills in a relaxed easy
going manner. Since his article in “Inside Karate”
magazine entitled “What is the Purpose of Kata” in
1989 the Professor has promoted “Kyusho Jitsu”
(pressure point strikes) and “Kata Bunkai”
(applications of moves from the formal sequences).
Blue Lightening
The Professor teaches a broad spectrum of techniques
and the system he has formulated is called “Ao
Denkou Jitsu” meaning “blue lightening techniques or
methods” referring to the electrical impulses felt
when he attacks nerve centres
and pressure points in combat. The term “Ao” or blue
is a reference to Chung Do Tae Kwon Do (“Blue Wave”)
which the professor studied in his youth in the mid
sixties under Chung Nak Young. A group of
instructors from varied martial
backgrounds from all over the world, USA, UK,
Ireland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Japan,
Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Holland and Germany have
joined together with Professor Rick Clarke forming
an organization called Ao Denkou Kai
in order to further their knowledge and
understanding of the martial arts. The martial arts
styles represented are varied and diverse; Uechi Ryu
Karate, Isshin Ryu Karate, Taiji Quan, Krav Maga,
Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Shorin Ryu Karate,
Shito Ryu Karate, Seisan Ryu and Ju Jitsu. Professor
Clarke recommends cross training in multiple styles
after having first achieved a solid grounding in one
particular base style.
A Common Link.
Pressure point strikes should be seen as the common
link between all the martial arts .The wrist and arm
locks, punch deflections and defences against grips
thought on the course were all enhanced by the use
of various pressure points. Professor Clarke prefers
to use the Kyusho techniques to manipulate the
opponent / student on seminars refraining from
actual knockout techniques. He encouraged the group
to constantly change partners in order to study the
varying individual reactions. Over a lifetime he has
been given the opportunity to practice on literally
thousands of martial artists and knows what works
and what does not. These points are often perceived
to be too small and difficult to hit or manipulate
under pressure. Professor Clarke demonstrated with
effortless ease how Kyusho Jitsu techniques make the
strikes, blocks and locks infinitely more effective.
Often on courses such as this the reference to
acupuncture points can make the art seem very
difficult and complicated. Rick Clarke’s simple
hands on approach simplified the art immensely
allowing for a very informative and enjoyable
course.
Shotokan Karate Clonmel (Founded 1973) are affiliated
to:
Shotokan Karate International Ireland
Shotokan Karate International Federation (S.K.I.F.)
Official National Amateur Karate Association of Ireland.
(O.N.A.K.A.I.)
