The 2009 Ireland ESKA team and coaches

back row (l to r) Aoife Farrelly, James Farrelly, Vaidas Gezelele, Sensei David Royle (Coach) and Sensei Michael Sherlock (Coach)

front row (l to r) Erris Keane, Emer Keane and Eleanore Coates

The USKFI seniors competed at the European Shotokan Karate Association (ESKA) Championships, held recently in Austria. The Championships, run over a period of 3 days, was of a very high standard which led to an exciting and action-packed weekend for competitors and spectators alike. The USKFI competitors proved their selection for the team by displaying some terrific attitude and spirit, making for some very exciting kumite matches. The Senior Ladies' Team (consisting of Eleanore Coates, Emer Keane and Erris Keane), in particular, fought extremely well against a tough Spanish team, eventually being pipped to the post with a 2-1 win to spain. Coaches Michael Sherlock and David Royle were delighted with the personal improvement shown by some of the competitors and were particularly pleased with the first-time competitors who all showed determination and great promise for future Championships.

Photos reproduced with kind permission of the Austrian Karate-do Federation