MARTIAL arts in this State has a following of about 10,000 people, and almost 4,000 of them come from the Munster region. Munster, therefore, is not a place in which to mess around.
The Irish Karate Union recently selected its team for the world championships in Milan 75 per cent of which is from Munster.
Boys, girls, women and men will compete from June 20th to June 22nd next. The squad of 65 people has been training for the past year on a monthly basis.
Recently, Kanazawa Shihan, the recognised worldwide leader of the sport, held in awe by his followers, came to Ireland to help the hopefuls.
It was a successful visit the Irish team has never returned without medals at some level and, after the coaching of the master, it is hoped that this trip will continue that tradition.