Sensei Profiles
Dermot O'Keeffe
Sensei O’Keeffe has been studying Shotokan Karate-Do since 1979, just two months before his sixteenth birthday, and it was then that he saw the man that would impress on him the true secrets of success and achievement in Shotokan Karate… Good attitude and hard work. This man is Sensei Andy Sherry, 8th Dan. Sensei O’Keeffe started training in Shotokan in 1979 under KUGB, graded to 1st Kyu under various KUGB Instructors including Sensei Eneoda.
Teaching from 1982 until 1993 and then again in 1997 to present. Sensei’s career to date has brought him to train with some of the worlds best Instructors and has gained great experience from them. Sensei O’Keeffe has been described as having a unique method of teaching, using traditional training methods as well as modern, to ensure that everyone who trains with him gets the best of old and new. Sensei is a qualified fitness instructor/Personal trainer (NCEHS) and Neuromuscular therapist (NMT). He is also a certified Level 2 Coach with the NCTC. With this experience and knowledge of anatomy and physiology, it means those who train with him learn how to practice karate techniques properly, thus reducing the risk of injury due to bad practice. His only regret is that all too often, politics in Karate prevent Shotokan Karateka from training together as friends,regardless of affiliation. If this was possible we could improve the development of Shotokan Karate in Ireland make us one of the best nations competing on the International stage.
Bio:
| 1982 | My instructor broke away from the KUI. Took over as Chief Instructor of the Red Dragon Karate Club. |
| 1982-87 | Trained and competed with various instructors from different styles, Wado, Goju Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, Kick-boxing. During this time won many All Styles tournaments. |
| 1987 | Won the WAKO World All Styles and Kickboxing Championships. |
| 1988 | Approached Sensei Tommy McGrane with the view to returning to a recognised Shotokan Karate Organisation JKA. |
| 1990 | Received Shodan under Sensei Andy Sherry. |
| 1990 | Competed in the World Shoto Cup in Sunderland. Also competed in the ESKA Europeans Championships in Italy. |
| 1992 | Graded Nidan under Sensei Andy Sherry. |
| 1993, August | Tore medial collateral and damaged Anterior cruciate knee ligaments. |
| 1994 | Returned training and ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. |
| 1997 | Returned training. At this time there had been a split in the KUI. |
| 1999 | Graded Sandan under Sensei Andy Sherry. |
| 2001 | Re-opened the Red Dragon Shotokan Karate Club. |
| 2004 | Graded Yondan under KUGB panel: Sensei Sherry, Sensei Poynton & Sensei Naylor. |
| 2006 | Joined Japan Karate Shotorenmei. |
| 2007 | Won JKS World Kata Championships. |
| 2008 |
Graded Godan under JKS panel: Masao Kagawa Sensei JKS World Technical Director |
| 2009 | Won Veteran Kata in 10th All-Japan National Championships |
Over the years Sensei O’Keeffe has trained with visiting instructors like Enoeda Sensei (Chief instructor for JKA Europe), Ohta Sensei, Kawasoe Sensei, Kagawa Sensei, Kanazawa Sensei and Sensei Andy Sherry and Sensei Frank Brennan and many more. He travels regularly to Japan, to train in the JKS Hombu dojo under Sensei's Kagawa, Yamaguchi,Kanyama,Ishimine & Inada to name a few.Sensei O’Keeffe hopes to pass on as much of this experience to his students for many years to come.
Assistant Instructors
Debra Hoy Yee Chan
Debra is one of Hokubu Dojo's most senior grades. She has been with the club since it was founded in 2001. In this time she has developed into an excellent karateka and always tries her best. She is a great example of what traditional karate is all about. Debra regularly competes at national and International level with Hokubu Dojo & the JKS Ireland squad. Debra assists with our junior classes & covers classes when Dermot Sensei is away.
Andrei Zhereshchin
Andrei is another club protege, and has been with Hokubu Dojo since 2002. He too regularly trains and competes with the JKS Ireland squad, and has represented Ireland at International level. Andrei moved here from Russia with his family in 2002. He is a diligent student of Karate and some day will become a wonderful instructor. As well as helping with classes, Andrei is our webmaster and is constantly changing and updating our website.
Stephanie Philippe
Stephanie originally from Brittany, has been training in Hokubu Dojo since 2005.Stephanie started training as a child in Brittany,but, stopped because of injury.She is our latest senior Shodan and is an asset to our Dojo. Stephanie's technical ability is very high, and she regularly competes for the Hokubu Dojo & JKS Ireland National squads. Along with helping out with classes, she looks after video editing for our website.