Long-awaited return to competitive action for JKS Tallaght Karate Club

JKS TALLAGHT Karate Club recently returned to the competition circuit for the first time in more than two years when a number of their members took their place at the Jin-Ai-Kan Open Championships in New Ross, Co Wexford.

The 14-strong squad competed in Kata and Kumite across a range of age categories and returned home with an impressive haul of four gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Six of JKS Tallaght contingent participated in the 9-10 Mixed Kata division with Codey Kelly reaching the finals and taking home silver with only one point separating him from top spot on the podium.

Mia Walsh came up against Ryleigh Bolger and, in a very tight contest, was pipped by her clubmate while Miley Connors, Marie Connors and Gintaras Aleknavicius gained tremendous experience despite not progressing in the rounds.

In 11-12 years Mixed Kata, Peter Lynott and Seamus O’Callaghan met in the semi-finals with the latter emerging with bronze.

Eamon O’Callaghan earned the same colour following his performance of Bassai Dai Kata in a very tough 11-12 years Mixed Brown & Black Belt category while Yasmine Lynott just missed out on third by a single point in the 13-14 years Junior Female Kata.

Eric Walsh made it to the semi-finals of the Eight Years and Under Mixed Kata group only to lose out to the eventual gold medallist, while there was great experience for Charlie Hill, Jamie-Leigh Kelly and Ryan O Reilly

The Kumite matches proved no less exciting with Charlie Hill pipped in sudden death after he had finished deadlocked with his opponent in the Boys Six and Under class.

In Boys Under 8 Years, Ryan O’Reilly lost out to clubmate and eventual gold medallist, Eric Walsh in the quarter finals while in Girls 10 years and Under, clubmates Marie Connors and Mia Walsh met in the final with the latter securing gold.

Miley Connors, Ryleigh Bolger and Codey Kelly lined out in the Boys 10 and Under field with the latter taking gold after Bolger lost to the eventual silver medallist and Connors was also edged out.

Yasmine Lynott represented the club in the Girls 14 Years and Under division and emerged with bronze after Jamie-Leigh Kelly took home her first kumite gold medal from the Girls Six and Under.

“For such a novice squad, the results were excellent” said Philip Kennedy Sensei 2nd Dan JKS. “Much experience gained with lots to take forward for future competitions.”

The next of these contests for the club will be the opening round of the IWKA League in Ashbourne, Co Meath on Saturday.