Kilkenny Karate Club shines bright at national championships

Kilkenny Karate Club’s remarkable performance at the recently held Karate Ireland National Championships saw them clinch an astounding 56 medals, boasting 15 gold, 19 silver and 22 bronze, making their hometown proud.

What’s truly remarkable about this achievement is the calibre of competitors the club faced, drawing karate enthusiasts from every corner of the country.

From young talents to seasoned practitioners, the championship which was held at the SETU Arena in Waterford welcomed over 1,000 entries of all ages and genders, showcasing the vibrant diversity and skill within Ireland’s karate community.

Standing tall amidst this fierce competition, Kilkenny Karate Club emerged as one of the standout clubs in the tournament.
Their impressive medal haul not only highlights their skill but also the dedication and hard work that each member puts into their craft.

This victory cements Kilkenny Karate Club’s reputation as a local powerhouse, known for nurturing champions within the Irish karate circuit.

Their success in securing numerous National Championships within their ranks speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence and their consistent pursuit of greatness.

For the local community, this achievement is more than just medals.

It’s a source of inspiration for aspiring martial artists and a testament to the dedication of both the club’s members and their coaches.

Kilkenny Karate Club Chief instructor, Kevin Shortall, said that he was extremely proud of all his competitors who took part in the event and was delighted with the amount of success achieved.

Medal winners on the day included:

Kevin Shortall-  Gold Medal Team Kata and Gold Medal Kubudo
Ava Callaghan-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Noah Callaghan-  Bronze Medal Sparring and Bronze Medal Kata
Veronika Udoychenko-  Gold Medal Team Kata
Matthew Gee-  Gold Medal Team Kata
Chloe Gee-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Deirdre Dean Gee-  Gold Medal Kata
Leona Cecelia Lorena-  Gold Meda Kata and Silver Medal Sparring
Patrick Murphy-  Gold Medal Kata, Silver Medal Sparring and Bronze Medal Team Kata
Gearoid Neville-  Silver Meda Sparring, Silver Medal Kata, Bronze Medal Team Kata
Michael Sanek-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Vasile Sanek-  Silver Medal Sparring and Bronze Medal Team Kata
Delia Zmeu-  Silver Medal Sparring
Sonia Lazar-  Gold Medal Team Kata and Silver Medal Kata
Karine Ruseill-  Gold Medal Team Kata
Freddie Satelle-  Gold Medal Team Kata
Iza Kol-  Gold Medal Team Kata and Bronze Medal Sparring
Paulo Felizardo-  Silver Medal Kata
Rafael Felizardo-  Silver Medal Sparring
Alexy Maher-  Bronze Medal Team Kata
Rachel Grogan-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Danile McGree-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Owen Shine-  Silver Medal Team Kata and Silver Medal Sparring
Pedro Montoia-  Gold Medal Team Kata
Charlie O’Donovan-  Bronze Medal Team Kata and Bronze Medal Sparring
Alannah Maher Keane-  Silver Medal Sparring
David Quinn Maher-  Silver Medal Team Kata and Silver Medal Sparring
Eddie Cahill-  Silver Medal Parent/Child Kata
Grainne Cahill-  Silver Medal Parent/Child Kata
Cuileann Cahill-  Silver Medal Parent/Child Kata
Billy Clowry-  Gold Medal Team Kata
Aleksandra Strelniece-  Gold Medal Sparring and Bronze Medal Kata
Katarina Strelniece-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Alena Van Buggenhout-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Kirranraj Devan-  Silver Medal Team Kata and Silver Medal Sparring
Amelia O’Keeffe-  Bronze Medal Kata
James O’Dwyer-  Bronze Medal Sparring
Billy O’Dwyer-  Gold Medal Sparring
Jake Smith Phelan-  Bronze Medal Sparring