Attaining the rank of 1st degree black belt (1st Dan) is a milestone in any student’s karate career. Another milestone is representing Ireland at International level and there are a number of students from Our Lady’s Bower, who have achieved not just one of these milestones recently, but both.
Ava and Mia Shanley ranked to 1st Dan Degree Black Belt in December 2022. This is the culmination of between 6-8 years of training, tournaments, courses, and squads. Lea and Nina Stehelova ranked to 1st Kyu and all four competed on the international stage for Ireland in Denmark recently.
Each of the girls competed in three separate disciplines, representing their country with pride and competence. Ava won bronze in the kumite (sparring) discipline and Mia and Lea took bronze in the kata discipline. All are a credit to their families, club (Itosu-kai Karatedo Ireland, Karate and kobudo Association, Ballinasloe) and school. All in OLB are very proud of the girls’ achievements and we wish them continued success in the karate dojo.