On February 21st, the NUIG and GMIT Karate Clubs will host the 2009 Karate Intervarsities. This is a nationwide competition for all Karate clubs that are based in thirds level institutions.

Competitions start early, registration opens at 9am, so get there early. Full details have been emailed to clubs, but if we missed anyone, please email us here and let us know.

Best of luck to all who compete, and enjoy the after party as well.

GMIT KC

Roy Harris [ http://www.royharris.com ] 4th Degree Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt will be giving a one day seminar in Galway on Sunday the 16th of November.

Previous seminars have always been straight BJJ, but this year we will be running a more MMA-focussed seminar (though with grappling emphasis)

Here is a review of an MMA seminar that Mr Harris taught recently,

' This past weekend, Roy Harris taught an amazing 2-day MMA seminar in Middletown, Connecticut. The seminar attendees (from several states and two countries) were treated to a tremendous depth of information. Here's a quick sampling:

-kickboxing structure for MMA
-drills for footwork and the mindset that makes these drills powerful
-ringsmanship tactics from Savate
-the subtleties of using the heels and balls of your feet to control distance
-punching drills from western boxing, Savate, and Filipino boxing
-a simple drill to develop devastating and unpredictable counterpunching
-a very effective way to make your partner pay for trying to knee you in the clinch
-how to feed mitts so that both partners improve their game tremendously
-the exact distance to maintain, and how to maintain it
-countless punch defenses and takedown defenses
-controlling and attacking a BIG SWEATY GUY from the closed guard
-takedown combinations from the clinch
-landing a big right hand, right on the button, from 3 different angles
-defending leg kicks from Boxe Francaise Savate
-counters to the Double Neck Tie (thai clinch) that put you into the driver's seat
-transitioning from kicking range to the clinch without getting hit
-landing a big leg kick each time you exit the clinch
-strength training and conditioning exercises and routines for grappling and for MMA
-drills for better visual and kinesthetic awareness when avoiding the Ground & pound
-massive amounts of Q&A

I could keep listing, but I think you get the idea. The one thing I heard over and over from attendees at the end of the weekend was how much the seminar exceeded their already high expectations. ' Chris

Since that was a 2-day seminar, please respond if there are particular areas of interest and we will ensure Roy addresses these in this 1-day event.

This is open to everyone, check http://www.harrisinireland.com , mail info@harrisinireland.com or ring 086 3492792 if you want more details.

The following MMA athletes are under Roy Harris (first or second generation):
Matt Stansell, Jeff Clark, Manny Rodriguez, Eddie Sanchez, Jason Lambert (Jason trains with Roy weekly these days), August Wallen, Lee Mein, Jason Day, and more

Renshi Ante Brannbacka, Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo-jutsu, chief instructor for Finland, will be giving a two day seminar in Galway in September.

Training/instruction will cover the following topics,

• Two person drills as demonstrated in Volume 9
(with specific emphasis on body dynamics and hip movements)
• Grappling
• Examination of the Taisabaki Kata
(with specific emphasis on body dynamics and hip movements)
• Final session will be ‘open’

Please contact nuig_karateclub@yahoo.co.uk for more information.