TALLAGHT’S WSKF Ireland’s Chief Instructor Mark Sheridan led the Irish delegation who competed against representations from 31 other countries at the 14th World Shotokan Karate-do Federation World Championships in Budokan stadium in Tokyo.
The event followed a three day seminar which was also utilised to grade candidates for Dan grade under a formidable panel of instructors, chaired by WSKF Chief Instructor, Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya.
The Tallaght man was chosen by Japan’s Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya, 9th Dan, to be Ireland’s Chief Instructor in 2017. He has now been examined and successfully graded to attain Rku-dan (6th Dan) which not only requires examination of techniques and ability, but is predicated on a written thesis.
At the opening ceremony, the Irish contingent were led into the arena by Deirdre Tapley, one of five members sharing their exciting inaugural visit to Japan, With the opening ceremony over, it was down to the business of competing.
First medal success for Ireland went to local Tallaght man Mark Sheridan followed shortly after by his second, securing a double gold WSKF world champion titles in his kumite (fighting) and kata categories.
Not to be outshone by his father, Lee Sheridan’s strong round performances in kumite (fighting) led the younger Sheridan to gold and champion title.
Exhibiting a very strong kumite performance was Sam Wheeldon who narrowly missed out on a medal position in this large category event.
There was a well-deserved silver for Martin Wheeldon in a tough veteran kumite event, with a silver for Niamh Hogan’s performance in individual kata adding to the medals tally.
Tom McMahon competed in individual kumite and kata and also performed in veteran mixed team kata alongside Deirdre Tapley and Martin Wheeldon.
Other team events saw silver medal positions in senior mixed team kata for Mark Sheridan, Niamh Hogan and Sam Wheeldon and a further silver medal position in senior women’s team kumite for Niamh Hogan, Sorcha McCorry and Olga Gombosi, who also competed in individual kumite.
Sorcha McCorry added a bronze in individual women’s kumite and a further silver in individual women’s jiyu kumite.
Sensei Mark Sheridan 6th Dan and Chief Instructor of WSKF Ireland also holds the position of Karate Ireland’s national Kumite coach and teaches karate at Firhouse Community Centre, Tallaght and WSKF Senshi Karate, Unit 16, Cookstown Enterprise Park, Dublin 24.
For further information on karate classes in the Tallaght area, contact Mark Sheridan at 087 360 4405.
