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Site Updated: Thursday 19th November 2009
Jacqui O'Shea takes Gold in the SKIF World Championships, Athens, Greece
Written by Gearóid Quinn
Jacqui O'Shea (4th Dan), from Leixlip, Co. Kildare, took gold medal at the Shotokan Karate-do International Federation World Championships in Athens in the ladies Master Kata event. Kanazawa Kancho's 10th World Championships were held in Athens, Greece, from the 20th to 26th July with over 1000 karateka competed from 50 countries at the "Peace and Friendship" Olympic Stadium.
Jacqui O'Shea Receives Her Gold Medal From Asano Sensei (9th Dan) (Photo: Gearóid Quinn)
Competing with the SKIF Ireland squad of nearly 50 travelling with Greg Manning, SKIF Ireland Chairperson, Jacqui was well ahead of the field going into the final round of the kata competitions and gave a fine display of Gojushiho-sho to take first place over the Belgian and Venezuela's ladies. Her performance of the kata was complimented by many, including the Japanese men's and ladies coaches, who were highly impressed with her standard.
Jacqui fulfilled her dream of a world championship gold medal after years of dedicated training and unwavering commitment, having previously taken bronze and silver medals at European and international events. Her focus throughout the tournament was key to performing at the level needed to take first place, and was an inspiration to other squad members, especially the Juniors who travelled with the squad. After her own success, Jacqui was especially keen to take interest and support them in their events encouraging them to perform to the best of their ability.
Other Irish squad members competed strongly, in a very competitive tournament, and came quite close to medal placings. Owen Sargeant, Danielle Crowley, Philip McCarthy and Ray Payne, all reaching quarter final stages and were unlucky not to progress further or win medals in Kata and Kumite events. The Irish senior team were unlucky to be drawn in an early round against a very strong kumite team from Venezuela, who only narrowly lost out to the Japanese team in the final.
The tournament had a further distinction for SKIF Ireland with the grading of Sensei Ray Payne to 7th Dan (Nanadan). Ray, a former Kata World Champion himself, graded with Kanazawa Kancho before the tournament competition started. Not one to do things in small measure, Ray was also attending as SKIF Ireland National Coach and competing in the Master categories.
Everyone from SKIF Ireland and especially from Jacqui's club, St Vincent's & St Joseph's in Dublin and from Ray's club in Bandon are immensely proud of their achievements!
