Back row l to r: J Madden (Referee), J Farrelly, E Keane, V Gelezele, D Royle (Coach)

Front row (l to r): E Keane and E Coates

The USKFI Senior team attended first of this year’s KUGB Grand Slam competitions between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales at the weekend. The atmosphere during Grand Slams is a charged one as squad members compete not only against each other but also try to personally improvement their performances in a bid to be selected for the ESKA European Championships later on in the year.

James Farrelly performed a very sharp and strong kata to easily secure his place in the second round. Although he then met a very sharp opponent, James carried out a very strong kata and was unlucky not to have made it through. Vaidas Gelezele, Emer Keane and Erris Keane took part in the kata section for the first time, all performing their katas very well under the extra pressure.

Eleanore Coates and James Farrelly both fought particularly well in the individual kumite. James fought an epic match against Ben Fail of England, moving very well and throwing some very fast and solid techniques. Although he eventually lost to Ben, who went on to fight in the finals, James showed real determination and is advancing well as a sharp, tactical fighter.  Eleanore Coates advanced past the first round with two very sharp and strong gyaku-tsukis to secure a comfortable win. In the second round, Eleanore moved very well and her opponent had to work hard to get past her defences. Eleanore was very unlucky not to make it through to the next round and she set a high standard at the first competition of the year.

The ladies’ team kumite was an exciting highlight of the day. The first match was against Wales and the Irish ladies, consisting of Eleanore Coates, Emer Keane and Erris Keane fought very well to secure a win for Ireland. In the second match against England the ladies again fought a great tactical match but were, unfortunately, beaten by a very strong England side leaving England as overall winners, Ireland second and Wales third.