Successful year at Trim Karate Academy
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At the Trim Kenpo Karate Academy black belt testing (from left) were Diarmuid Gallagher, Nathan Quinn, Andy Whelan, Jake Rooney, Gerry Shanahan, Helene Meade, Tiernan Hilley and Seamus Quinn. Gerry ShanahanImage 2 of 2
Trim Kenpo Karate Academy members Kym McGrath and Steven Parsons with Senior Master Ed Downey (President EKKA) and Professor John Burgess (EKKA panel) after successfully grading to 1st Degree Brown Belt in Celbridge. GERRY SHANAHAN sportinmotion.ieMARTIAL ARTS
Trim Kenpo Karate Academy has had a busy 2023 with a number of in-house gradings and advanced gradings in European Kenpo Karate headquarters in Celbridge.
The highlight of the year was the testing and promotion to 1st degree Black Belt of Diarmuid Gallagher, Andy Whelan, Jake Rooney and Seamus Quinn.
Instructors, Nathan Quinn and Tiernan Hilley were also tested and promoted to 3rd Degree Black Belt.
Academy Head instructors Gerry Shanahan and Helene Meade, who were promoted to 4th Degree Black Belts, said "the Academy is going from strength to strength with the constant hard work and dedication of the highly skilled instructors that we have".
The Academy will be 40 years in existence next year. It was formed in 1984, by Gerry Shanahan, as Trim Kenpo Karate Club.
"We have endured Covid, the passing of one of our finest instructors and friend Dave Hilley, a 3rd Degree Black Belt instructor, and many other events, but are still here and going strong".
Academy students Kym McGrath and Steven Parsons recently graded to 1st degree brown belts and they hope to grade to 1st Degree Black belt by Autumn year.
The Academy boasts seven Black Belt instructors and has students that have competed in European and Irish Championships.
The Academy is open three times per week with adult classes on Tuesday 8pm and Thursday 8pm and Saturday mornings at 12pm.
Anyone looking to learn how to defend themself or take up some new and different sport, why not drop in to us on Mill Street (opposite the Olive Tree cafe).
The Academy is also open for children on Tuesdays at 6pm and 7pm, Thursday evenings at 6pm and 7pm and Saturday mornings at 10am and 11am.
Trim Kenpo Karate Academy is affiliated to the European Kenpo Karate Association and the Irish Martial Arts Commission.