Our History
In 2006 the Drogheda Kenpo Karate Club was formed by Anthony O' Connor in Drogheda.
The People Involved
Anthony O’Connor
Prior to martial arts I was an amateur wrestler for five years and was also taking part in bodybuilding. I started training in martial arts in 1989 when I was introduced to Chinese Kempo by Julian Mc Dermott and trained under Sifu Nicky Burke in Finglas at Colaiste Ide sports complex as well as with Sifu Andy Webb at Ashbourne Kempo. Sifu Burke also trained me in the art of Kyosho Jitsu and Ryukyu Kempo.
In 1995 I left with Julian Mc Dermott and his brothers to train at the Castleknock Club and in that same year we competed in our first European Karate tournament in Madrid Spain. At the end of the tournament we had taken Silver in the Team event as well as silver and bronze in the individual events. This tournament changed everything as we discovered a new network of friends and fellow martial artists from around the world. Shortly after returning from Madrid we joined the IKKA under Professor Edward Downey and adapted the American Kenpo system.
For the next 10 years the Castleknock Kenpo Club became the most successful Kenpo club in Europe and one of the most successful clubs in the world in fighting. The team consisted of Anthony O' Connor, Julian Mc Dermott, Jonathon Mc Dermott and Mark Mc Dermott.
The team honours were as follows:
European Titles Black Belt Titles
| 1995 | Madrid Spain | Silver Medallist | European International |
| 1996 | Norjhoping Sweden | Gold Medallist | AKKS Title |
| 1996 | Amsterdam Holland | Gold Medallist | IKKA Title |
| 1997 | Dublin Ireland | Silver Medallist | AKKS Title |
| 1998 | Jersey Channel Islands | Gold Medallist | AKKS Title |
| 1999 | Dublin Ireland | Silver Medallist | IKKA Title |
| 2000 | Jersey Channel Islands | Gold Medallist | IKKA Title |
| 2001 | Lisbon Portugal | Gold Medallist | IKKA Title |
| 2001 | Dublin Ireland | Gold Medallist | AKKS Title |
Other Titles
| 1996 | Kenpo V Ju Jitsu | Gold Medallist | Ireland V USA Challenge |
| 2000 | All Ireland Mixed styles | All Ireland Black Belt Champions | Irish/USA Cup |
Main Individual titles won (Anthony O'Connor)
| Two times individual European Gold medal champion. |
| Three times individual European Silver medallist. |
| Once individual European Bronze medallist. |
| 2004 WKF (World Karate Federation) Silver medallist Miami USA. |
During the 10 years of fighting at the top of the international circuit, I trained and learned Kickboxing with one of the most successful Kickboxers in the world, Mr. Roy Baker. The mix of Kenpo and Kickboxing was a crucial ingredient to our fighting achievements.
I tested and graded for my Black Belt in 1999 and in 2003 tested and graded for 2nd Degree. During my tests from Brown to 2nd Black I was judged by some of the top martial artists in the world, such as Professor John Sepulveda, Professor Edward Downey, Professor Jeff Speakmann, Mr Klaus Peterson, Mr John Burgess, Mr Richard Burgess and Mr Julian Mc Dermott.
My direct instructor is Professor Downey who is direct student of Grand Master Ed Parker and European director of EKKA. Our chief instructor is Professor John Sepulveda, Santa Clara USA who is acknowledged as one of the most respected teachers of Kenpo in the world today.
