World renowned martial artist coaches local enthusiasts

Organiser of Iain's visit to Coleraine Leisure Centre was CKA Chief Coach Dan Redmond.

Iain is the author of a number of martial arts books and DVD's relating to kata bunkai.

He is regularly featured in Martial Arts magazines throughout the World for his work.

The early session commenced at 10.30am where in excess of 40 CKA youngsters enjoyed Iain's teaching.

He explained to the children the importance of regular kata training and then took them through a variety of low level applications best suited to the children.

The children then had the opportunity to practice a number of drills to take back to their own club.

Many of the children had an opportunity to be on a one to one with Iain in demonstrating the skills to the class.

Parents watching were obviously enjoying this.

All too soon this session ended at 12pm and each child received an attendance certificate signed by Iain. Organiser Dan Redmond is already inundated with requests from children to hold another Seminar as soon as possible. Dan has promised to do this for the children

The adult session started at 1pm and was attended by 46 keen participants.

It was encouraging to see martial artists from not only karate but also from Ju Jitsu, Taekwondo, Judo and Escrima in attendance.

The focus of the training revolved around fighting applications of the Nihanchi kata and also the Pinan/Heian katas.

Some attending did not know the actual katas, but this was not a problem, because the katas were organized into partner drills, that allowed the pairs to practice the moves as a form of kata sparring. Iain also took the group through groundwork drills ,that included locking, throwing, striking, strangulations and chokes.

Iain showed how to adapt the kata techniques to the street for self defence.

He explained that the kata bunkai were not designed to compete against another karate ka, but were formulated by the old masters against street type attack and that all moves should have the potential to end the fight immediately.

After 5 minutes of questions and answers the seminar ended at 5pm.

An impressive attendance certificate signed by Iain was then presented to all participants by the Organiser Dan Redmond.

On the Friday evening before the Seminar Iain Abernethy was the Senior Examiner at a Chujo Karate Association Black Belt grading held in the Seven Towers Leisure Centre Ballymena. Robert McCracken, Laura Burns, Rebecca Burns and Nicola Lamont successfully passed to Senior Shodan grade. Kevin Mullan, Gareth McKeown, Mark O'Connor, Andrew O'Neill and Etienne Wilcox all passed to Junior Shodan grade.

Robert McCracken's success was most remarkable because on the evening of the grading he was already a spritely young 75 years old. Iain complimented the high standard of all nine applicant's and told Robert McCracken that he was an inspiration.