Introduction To IKKI Karate

Welcome to the official website of Itosu-kai Karatedo Ireland, Karate & Kobudo Association. The association was founded in 1976 in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Itosu-kai karate caters equally for male and female students and classes are structured to cater for all ages and abilities. All IKKI black belts/instructors are registered with the head office of Japan Itosu-kai Karatedo in Yokohama, Japan. Instructors have also attained the following:

Coaching, Introductory and Level 1 (Coaching Ireland)
Coach Tutor Level 2 (Coaching Ireland)
Judge B category status (Mr. Tommy Morris WKF Presidential Advisor)
Judge B Kata category status (ONAKAI, NGB for karate in Ireland)
Referee B Kumite category status (ONAKAI, NGB for karate in Ireland)
Child Protection (Code of Ethics - ONAKAI/Coaching Ireland)
First Aid (FETAC level 5)
Garda Vetting

Affiliations:

Japan Karatedo Itosu-kai (JKI)
Itosu-ryu Karatedo International Federation (IKIF) - founding member
Japan. Ryukyu Kobudo Kongo-Ryu
Official National Amateur Karate Association of Ireland (ONAKAI)
IKKI is in membership of ONAKAI which in turn is a member of the
European and World Karate Federations (EKF & WKF)

IKKI instructors teach traditional Japanese-Okinawan karate & kobudo in our clubs. It is an ancient and honourable art form stemming from the Shuri-te master Sokon Matsumura (1798-1890) through the 1st Soke, Anko Itosu (1830-1915) to the present day 4th Soke, Sadaaki Sakagami. Itosu-kai karate training can benefit your general health, well-being, fitness and become your self-defense. While our emphasis is on traditional karate, we also teach sport karate.

Kobudo is taught in all IKKI dojos in Ireland and we teach the traditional weapons of RyuKyu (Okinawan) Kobudo. Kobudo training entails the use of the following weapons: the Kama, Sai, Nunchaku, Bo and Tonfa. Depending on age and karate skill level, students may be taught to use the Nunchaku, Bo and Tonfa, while a student must be a Shodan (black belt) to learn the Sai and Kama.

The IKKI has represented Ireland competing in recent Itosu-ryu world karate championships, Tokyo, Japan (2002), Los Angeles, USA (2005), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2009) and Osaka,Japan (2013). The IKKI have also represented Ireland at numerous National and International events under the NGB, ONAKAI.

Leo Mulvany is the Chief Instructor of Itosu-kai Karatedo Ireland. He began his karate career in 1976 under Sensei Richard Hayes and was Richard's first student to rank to black belt. This he did in 1981 when he ranked to shodan in Toronto, Canada under Shihan Kei Tsumura 8th Dan Karate-do, 7th Dan Kobu-do, Chief Instructor of Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai, Canada. The IKKI has over 40 years of association with Canada which over time has produced a relationship of sport, friendship and family.
Mulvany Sensei holds the ranks of 6th Dan in Karate and 5th Dan in Kobudo. He has competed in kumite and kata at all levels during his career including each of the last four Itosu-ryu World Championships, Tokyo, Japan (2002), Los Angeles, USA (2005), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2009) and Osaka, Japan (2013). His karate goes beyond the dojo due to his involvement with National & International Karate bodies.
Leo along with other IKKI instructors is a member of ONAKAI, the NGB for karate in Ireland. He sat on the NGB Executive Committee for two years and currently his functions within that organisation are:

• the NGB Anti-Doping officer for Ireland
• secretary of the Technical Committee
• secretary of the Coach Tutors Committee
• rolling out the Introduction to Karate Coaching and Level 1 Karate Coaching courses under the auspices of Coaching Ireland
• developing the Level 2 Karate Coaching course
  

His functions within Itosu-kai Karatedo Ireland (IKKI) and Itosu-Ryu Karatedo International Federation (IKIF) are:

• Chief Instructor & administrator of Itosu-Kai Karatedo Ireland (IKKI)
• Liaison for the IKKI with the IKIF
• Director of IKIF Europe branch
  
  

The aims and ambitions of the IKKI are to:

• teach the principles of and promote traditional Itosu-kai karatedo
• provide a safe and secure environment for all our students
• provide high quality karate coaching for all participants
• ensure participants have positive learning experiences through their training
• encourage and motivate students of all ages to succeed in their karate
• coach students to the highest level capable of competing at National, European and World Championships

Browse our website for more information about venues and class times in your locality.
Thank you for visiting the IKKI website. Sensei Leo Mulvany, Chief Instructor IKKI.
Contact Sensei Leo on: 087 4159858 or email: Sensei Leo Mulvany