Local karate man makes it big in Japan

FINGLAS-BASED Martial Arts instructor, Sensei Seamus O’Dowd, is no stranger to travel.

He’s already much in demand all over the world for teaching seminars in Karate, Tai-Chi and Bo-Jutsu (stick fighting). But his recent international trip was a little different from his usual ones.

This time he was not teaching, but being taught – and tested – in front of some of the greatest Karate Masters in the world.

Sensei O’Dowd travelled to Japan at the beginning of April to train with some of the top Karate masters on the planet and he also successfully tested for 6th Dan (black belt level), ranking him among the most senior Karate instructors in Ireland.

“I have been to Japan about ten times over the years,

? he tells us.

“Every trip brings something special, and this time was no exception.

“We had several days of very hard training first, and then I got to test in front of a panel that was headed up by Kanazawa Sensei (10th Dan), who is widely considered one of the greatest Karate masters of all time.

?

Also on the panel were Kanazawa Sensei’s brother (9th Dan) and his son who has taken over the role of Head of the Shotokan Karate International Federation since his father retired from the active role two years ago, as well as two other 9th Dans and an 8th Dan.

This group was not going to be easily impressed, so O’Dowd had to be at the top of his form to pass the examination, but pass he did.

Sensei O’Dowd is very highly ranked in Tai-Chi and Bo-Jutsu, and has even produced instructional DVDs on both those arts which are sold around the world.

Having started Karate training 30 years ago, and teaching more than 20, Sensei O’Dowd is no fly-by-night instructor. He was national champion multiple times before he retired from competition to focus on teaching, and many of his students have become champions and international competitors also.

In addition to his globe-trotting teaching assignments, Sensei O’Dowd runs Shin-Do-Kan School of Karate, with regular classes for beginners and advanced grades, at St Kevin’s College on Ballygall Road, Dublin 11

He teaches Karate to both children and adults, as well as Tai-Chi and Bo-Jutsu to adults only. Sensei O’Dowd can be contacted at 085-2804000.