From left: Cadet Black Belts: Erin and Clodagh Doyle Norton, Ella McDermott, Paddy and Sari McCaffrey and Advanced Black Belt Ane Ni Bhroin. Grading held at Trim Kenpo Karate Academy under Senior Master Ed Downey President European Kenpo Karate Association; Helene Meade and Gerry Shanahan, Head Instructors, Trim Kenpo Karate Academy.

Black belts in vogue at Trim Kenpo Karate

Fergal Lynch

Published: Wed 14 Jan 2026, 2:42 PM

Last year was a fantastic year for Trim Kenpo Self Defence Studio with a number of gradings and competition wins throughout the year.

Andy Whelan tested and was graded to 2nd Degree Black Belt. Andy is one of the studio's team of Black Belt instructors and has been studying Kenpo for over 10 years.

Also on the senior front, Conor Dolan and Eoin Caffrey grade to 1st Degree brown belt. They are training towards their 1st degree Black Belt which the will test for in late 2026.

Five of the studio teenagers tested for and were promoted to Cadet Black Belt. They all started in trim when they were six or seven years old and are part of the junior instructor team.

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From left: Andy Whelan, 2nd Degree Black Belt; Eoin Caffrey and Conor Dolan, 1st Degree Brown Belt. Grading at Celbridge Kenpo Karate academyunder Senior Master Ed Downey President European Kenpo Karate Association. Photo by Gerry Shanahan

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Coleman won gold medal for Forms at Kenpo ‘The Flame’ competition in Newbridge. Photo by Gerry Shanahan

On the competition front, Tadhg Coleman took part in ‘The Flame’ competition where he won a Gold medal in the advance Forms section.

Trim Kenpo Self Defence Studio is a great place to learn to defend yourself, meet new people, train and have fun and they are always open for new members, young or mature.

Based out of Mill Street in Trim, classes are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for beginners/juniors from 6pm to 8pm and for adults from 8pm to 9.15pm. Saturday morning classes begin at 11am for beginners and juniors, with adults in from 12pm.

More information from 086 8336362 / 086 3586141 or visit Facebook: TrimKenpoKarateAcademy