The Donegal School of Shotokan Karate continues to make a strong impact on the martial arts community after successfully hosting the Donegal Karate Championships for the second consecutive year. Despite the club itself being open for just two years, the event has grown rapidly and is now considered one of the largest karate competitions in Donegal.
Hosted and organised by Mary Lynn O’Neill, the championships welcomed 24 clubs from across Ireland as well as visiting competitors from Poland. The competition showcased a very high standard of karate and strong community spirit throughout the weekend.
Members of the Donegal School of Shotokan Karate played a major role in the success of the event, volunteering both on and off the mats. Many competitors also took on new responsibilities as table officials and tatami controllers, starting their days at 7 am and finishing as late as 10pm to help ensure the competition ran smoothly.
Their dedication was matched by excellent performances, with the club proudly bringing home an impressive 25 medals across kata and kumite divisions.
Members of the Donegal School of Shotokan Karate who represented their club with distinction last weekend.
Medal winners included:
Mary Lynn O’Neill – 2 Gold (Kata)
Alan McConnell – 1 Gold (Kata)
Niamh Onofrei – 2 Gold (Kumite), 1 Bronze (Kata)
Oleksandr Terpetskyi – 1 Gold (Kata)
Marie Gibson – 2 Bronze (Kumite)
Mathew Gallagher – 1 Bronze (Kata)
Clare Riseley – 1 Silver, 1 Bronze (Kumite)
Elle Riseley – 1 Bronze (Kata), 1 Bronze (Kumite)
Andrea Laux – 1 Gold (Kata), 1 Bronze (Kata), 1 Silver (Kumite), 1 Bronze (Kumite)
Cormac Devine – 1 Silver (Kata)
Ognyan Georgiev – 1 Silver (Kata)
Irina Georgieva – 1 Bronze (Kata)
Elena Tabandzhova and Irina Georgieva – Silver (Family Kata)
Páraic Rainey – 1 Bronze (Kata)
Yvonne McLaughlin – 1 Silver (Kata)
Special praise was also given to competitors Hannah Devine, Seamus and Jenny Carr, Josh and Alex Wilson, Aisling Doherty, Kinga Sutowicz, Liudmyla Terpetska, Lucy Riseley, Velin and Borimir Georgiev, Eugene and Aidan du Plessis, Grace and Noah Onefrei and Dominic McHugh, who all showed tremendous bravery and determination on the mats during a competition described as having an exceptionally high standard. Club coach was also very grateful for the competitors also helping for days and on the day of the competition alongside Mark Myburgh, Nadia du Plessis and Natasha Wilson also helping.
There were also ten Family team katas from Donegal School of Shotokan Karate the most from any club paving the way for other families to train, compete and make unforgettable memories together.
With participation growing each year and international clubs now attending, the Donegal Karate Championships are quickly establishing themselves as a major sporting event in the county. For a club only two years in existence, hosting such a large and successful competition is a remarkable achievement — truly history in the making for karate in Donegal.