Tallaght Martial Arts celebrates 30 years on the go

A GREAT night of celebration took place in the Plaza hotel on Saturday night as past and present Tallaght Martial Arts Club members came together to share their memories and stories of the club’s 30-year journey.

Many present highlighted how much the club had done for them not only as a martial art but also in their personal lives.

On the night, club instructors Martin Bannon and Dave Heffernan were awarded their 7th Dan Black Belts by Roy Baker who is the president of WAKO (World Amateur Kickboxing Organization).

The club started in St Mark’s Junior school Springfield in March 1993 with only six members and over the years the club has grown from strength to strength and now has a full time Martial Arts Centre in Whitestown Industrial Estate.

Since it conception in 1993, TMA has thought Kung Fu, Kickboxing and Sport Karate to people of all ages and has become World renowned for its ability to produce World and European Champions at all levels and recently had three athletes qualify for the European Olympic Games.

This is the first time Kickboxing has been invited to the Olympic Games to compete and TMA have three of the nine Irish athletes representing Ireland.

Ladies of Tallaght Martial Arts enjoying the celebrations

“Although the club is recognised for its sporting achievements, it is about much more than that, the club develop confidence, self-esteem and friendships,” said Martin Bannon Chief Instructor Tallaght Martial Arts.

“Our strength comes from the community we have built, our members and our volunteers – we would not be TMA without all of those people, we would not have survived the tough times without the hard work and dedication of those people”.

Trisha, Martin and Shauna Bannon

“After 30 years we now have three generations of families training in the club, when we say martial arts for all ages, we actually mean it” added Martin.

TMA is looking forward to the next 30 years and would like to thank all those who have helped and supported this great Tallaght club.

Pick up this week’s Echo (edition March 30th) to see more photographs. 

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