Karl McLoughlin (left) with Ken Fitzpatrick (instructor) at Mullingar Kyokushinkai Karate Club. PHOTO: THOMAS GIBBONS

Mullingar man Karl secures his brown belt

Paul Hughes

Published: Thu 20 Jun 2019, 4:05 PM

Last updated: Thu 20 Jun 2019, 4:34 PM

Mullingar Kyokushinkai Karate Club's Karl McLoughlin has been training at the Mullingar Dojo for 10 years. He is 16 years old and passed his brown belt test at the IKK National Grading in Dublin recently.

Karl (seen above, left, with sensei Ken Fitzpatrick) was tested by a grading panel of three people who tested Karl on all aspects of Kyokushin Karate including his basics in Karate, his kata (pre-arranged forms and applications), his general fitness and conditioning and his fighting (kumite) ability.

After a thorough test which lasted four and a half hours, Karl was deemed to be successful. Kyokushin karate is a tough, traditional style of Japanese karate and it takes great dedication and time to achieve a brown or black belt Grade in this system.

The club trains twice weekly (Tuesday/Saturday) and new beginners are always welcome (aged six to adult, male/female). Classes continue throughout summer. Details: 086 167 6358 or www.kyokushinireland.com.