LIMERICK students at the Munster Martial Arts club, based at the Delta Sports Dome, have taken home seven trophies at the USA ITO Tang Soo Do Korean Karate Championships in Atlantic City.
The event was attended by Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do competitors, instructors and highly respected Masters from all over the USA. Limerick competitors made a favourable impression, winning sparring and traditional forms divisions.
The local team took home an impressive collection of first, second and third place trophies and was one of the most successful teams at the competition. The team comprised of Coach Master Pat Forde, Con Fitzgibbon and his son Dean, Dace Irbe and her son Ralf Garkalanas and Joey O ‘Riordan.
Following the competition the team were invited to a special banquet with the Tang Soo Do Masters, at which Limerick’s Pat Forde was presented with a special award for his work in Tang Soo Do in Ireland.
“I am absolutely thrilled with our success in the States and the amount of positive messages and support we have received from Limerick people,” Mr Forde said.
“It’s a testament to the positive attitude and work ethic from all students at Munster Martial Arts after such a tough few years. But most importantly we had such a fun time in America and made so many new friends who I know will some day come to visit us in Limerick,” he added.
