Odacon
11/17/2007 3:24pm,
Kokoro Mixed Martial Arts opened in 2006 in a small (I mean tiny) community centre in the East Wall area of Dublin. With only some second hand Judo mats and a few sets of pads head instructor Shane Thomas still managed to produce 2 C Class* MMA fighters in it's first year. As the club attracted more members (myself one of them) Shane was able to begin planning a move to a larger facility and open up as a full time gym.
In September 2007 Kokoro moved to a new industrial unit In Drumcondra just outside the city centre. Offering a fully matted gym with bags, pads and exercise equipment Shane was able to begin putting together A fight team to compete in the Irish MMA Circuit. So far Kokoro has 2 D Class Fighters, 5 C Class* Fighters compete and 3 more C Class Fighters about to debut.
Apart from Shane's instruction Kokoro has had several guest instructors including French UFC fighter Sammy Schiavo and EFR head coach Davy Patterson and in the summer of 2007 a group from Kokoro traveled to Croatia for a 10 day training camp with instructors like IBK Founder Kaicho Jon Bluming, Golden Glory Gym's Dave Jonkers and Semmy Schilt, and Ronin MMA (Germany) founder and head instructor Shihan Eric Van Vaerenbergh.
*In Ireland MMA is categorized into 4 Divisions:
D Class - No head strikes whatsoever
C Class - No head strikes on the ground (This Class is analogous with most Amateur MMA Rules)
B Class - No Elbow Strikes on the ground
A Class - Full unified MMA Rules
Training
Monday 8:00pm to 10:00pm - Kyokushin:
Traditional full contact knockdown Karate, thought by either Sensei Shane Thomas or Sempai Bartek Catka.
Tuesday + Thursday 8:00pm to 10:00pm - MMA:
Warmups, Stretching, Drills in Standup, Clinch and Ground, Padwork, Bagwork, Fitness Drills, Rolling, Sparring (Kickboxing and MMA)
Wednesday 7:00pm to 8:30pm - Fitness:
Bass Rutten workout, Circuits, Weights Etc. Depending on numbers can also be open mat.
Saturday 10:00am to 12:00pm - Fight Team and 12:00pm to 1:00pm Kids MMA:
Training specifically for those getting ready for fights, followed by kids (12-16 Y/O) Training.
In September 2007 Kokoro moved to a new industrial unit In Drumcondra just outside the city centre. Offering a fully matted gym with bags, pads and exercise equipment Shane was able to begin putting together A fight team to compete in the Irish MMA Circuit. So far Kokoro has 2 D Class Fighters, 5 C Class* Fighters compete and 3 more C Class Fighters about to debut.
Apart from Shane's instruction Kokoro has had several guest instructors including French UFC fighter Sammy Schiavo and EFR head coach Davy Patterson and in the summer of 2007 a group from Kokoro traveled to Croatia for a 10 day training camp with instructors like IBK Founder Kaicho Jon Bluming, Golden Glory Gym's Dave Jonkers and Semmy Schilt, and Ronin MMA (Germany) founder and head instructor Shihan Eric Van Vaerenbergh.
*In Ireland MMA is categorized into 4 Divisions:
D Class - No head strikes whatsoever
C Class - No head strikes on the ground (This Class is analogous with most Amateur MMA Rules)
B Class - No Elbow Strikes on the ground
A Class - Full unified MMA Rules
Training
Monday 8:00pm to 10:00pm - Kyokushin:
Traditional full contact knockdown Karate, thought by either Sensei Shane Thomas or Sempai Bartek Catka.
Tuesday + Thursday 8:00pm to 10:00pm - MMA:
Warmups, Stretching, Drills in Standup, Clinch and Ground, Padwork, Bagwork, Fitness Drills, Rolling, Sparring (Kickboxing and MMA)
Wednesday 7:00pm to 8:30pm - Fitness:
Bass Rutten workout, Circuits, Weights Etc. Depending on numbers can also be open mat.
Saturday 10:00am to 12:00pm - Fight Team and 12:00pm to 1:00pm Kids MMA:
Training specifically for those getting ready for fights, followed by kids (12-16 Y/O) Training.