MR. SEAN O BRIEN ( I.W.K.A.)
5TH DAN BLACK BELT WADO KARATE

• I.W.K.A. CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
• I.W.K.A. CHAIRMAN
• I.W.K.A. HEAD COACH
• ONAKAI COACH
• LEVEL 2 COACH (NCTC) IRELAND
• COACH TUTOR (NCTC) IRELAND
• AMA UK REPRESENTATIVE IN REP OF IRELAND
  
• Contact email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Webpage: iwkawado.com
• Mob: 00353872504421
• Tel: 0035314523463

I started karate in 1972 under instructor Sensei Iwasaki and since then i have trained with Saganami Sensei, Shomitsu Sensei, Fukasawa Sensei, and many other top instructors in Europe.
In 1992 I joined Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki’s Federstion (WIKF) and trained with him until 2006. All my Dan grades were awarded by Sensei Suzuki.

In 2006 I resigned from WIKF Ireland due to difference’s with the WIKF Ireland committee. I started my own association, the IWKA (Ireland Wado Karate Association) and have gone from strength to strength.
At present I have 5 karate Dojo in and around Dublin and I am registered with our National Governing Body ONAKAI.

I have been a member of the AMA for over 20 years now, supporting all AMA championships to date, and, in the last few years the IWKA and myself have been the representative in the Republic Of Ireland for AMA UK.

I have trained as a coach tutor and a level 2 coach with the NCTC Ireland 2005/2006 and more recently the IWKA have completed the AMA CPC (child protection course) in the UK, producing 5 child protection officers for the IWKA Association.

In my earlier days I have competed for Republic Of Ireland in Kumite and Kata events and I have won the British Open Silver Medal for kumite and European Wado Kai Bronze Medal for Kumite 1993.

Along with 3 times Irish National Senior Kumite Champion 1986 / 87/ 88 and 4 times Irish National Kata Champion 1986 /87 / 88 / 89, plus i was a member of Ireland’s International Squad who beat the Australian National Squad in 1993 in Dublin and I was also on the Irish National Squad competing in the 5 nations Championship against England, Scotland, Wales and France in 1983

I have coached athletes to European Team Bronze in Italy 2000, and again in 2002 in the WIKF European Championships in Dublin to Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals.

In october 2008 the IWKA hosted the 1st AMA - IWKA Open International Karate Championships in Dublin.
Tthe 2nd AMA - IWKA Open International Karate Championships were held on October 10th 2009 in Dublin’s Basketball Arena Tallaght.
This event is seeded by world champion Mr. Wayne Otto OBE.

In september 2009 I was awarded my 5th Dan by the AMA

married with 2 daughters
4 grand children which includes twins (god help me)

My activities:

• coaching / teaching karate
• playstation 3
• good food 
• my grandchildren

I believe in loyalty- trust- and to do things to the best of my ability

As chief instructor of IWKA I would like to thank Mr. Peter Allen, Mr. Jeff Grace, the AMA committee, and the AMA referees, for their good will and support towards the IWKA.
many thanks

kind regards

Sean O'Brien
Chief Iinstructor I.W.K.A