Elite Karate Academy celebrated their 6th Annual Elite Karate Expo on the 9th of April 2017 in The Green Isle Hotel, Clondalkin. Started by Sensei Gareth FitzGerald, who says, “the aim of the Expo is to allow students demonstrate their skills and abilities to their family and friends, whilst educating parents about the aims and ethos of Elite Karate Academy, in a relaxed fun environment.”

With a huge turnout of 250 family and friends the day started with the presentation of black belt hall of fame picture to Eric Keenan who successfully graded for black belt. After 6 years of training Eric became one of the 1st generation of Black belts in Elite Karate Academy. Escorted into the Expo through an honour guard of all students from the club, she was presented with his framed picture by Sensei Gareth FitzGerald 6th Dan.

The rest of the day consisted of student grading, sparring competition, and demonstrations by senior and junior students and an awards ceremony. Elite Karate Academy was proud to run a bake sale in aid of Barretstown which raised over €200 for a great charity. Damien Grenham 4th Dan in Bujinkan Ninjitsu whose child attended on the day told us, “The standard of the students from white belt to senior grade has certainly jumped from last year. Well done to all!! Next year will be a hard act to follow.”

Lucy Power who’s two sons attended the Expo, and eldest is very shy says, “At the Expo the boys got to see what all the other levels can do and they found out they’d passed their grade.At the expo the boys got to see what all the other levels of students can do and they found out they passed their grade to move onto the next belt. My oldest boy told me on the way home that “This is the best day ever, my dreams came true”.” Her eldest boy Dara said on the way home, “ This is the best day ever.” At the expo the boys got to see what all the other levels of students can do and they found out they passed their grade to move onto the next belt. My oldest boy told me on the way home that “This is the best day ever, my dreams came true

Elite Karate Academy also crowned Analeigh Murray as ‘Student of the Year 2016’. Analeigh a hugely dedicated and passionate student has been training for 3 years, she is currently a purple belt.

Alice McKenna won “Best Kicker” and “Best Kata” for the second year in the row. Liam Wilson won “Best Newcomer”, Jack McCarthy won “Most Improved” and Clodagh Grenham won “Exceptional Effort”.

Having opened a full time dojo (training hall) in September 2014 which had seen unprecedented growth in the club, after the event Sensei FitzGerald 6th Dan said, “Our club is about character growth and personal development with a strong self defence focus, we run programs such as ‘Word of the Week’ which teaches 16 character values such as respect, perseverance, honesty, humility etc, and we have other programs on ‘Anti Bullying’, ‘Fighting Fat’ and building self belief in our ‘Dojo Kun’ which we teach throughout the year. Karate changed my life and has been a passion for over 30 years, it’s not about fighting but personal development, when we improve one student’s life we improve the community around them too”.