Background

DCU Shotokan Karate Club was founded over 20 years ago and is the longest running martial arts club in the university. The primary aim of the club is to provide a safe environment in which people can learn traditional Shotokan karate in a structured and progressive fashion.

The club is affiliated to the Irish Shotokan Institute (ISI) and the Official National Amateur Karate Association of Ireland (ONAKAI), but also has close ties with many other karate groups both nationally and internationally. This gives our members the opportunity to train with a wide variety of world renowned instructors.

All of our own instructors have many years experience and have all received their black belt grades from Masao Kawasoe Sensei (8th dan) and the World Shotokan Institute (WSI).

While our emphasis is on “traditional” rather than “sport” karate, members are still encouraged to enter competitions, and in the past the club has performed well at the intervarsities. The club also organises social events throughout the year include training weekends away and nights out.

Kawasoe Sensei 8th dan of the WSI