Sensei Rodney Peoples stated he was very proud of AKJU Team
America in the 20th Irish Cup Dublin, Ireland! The Irish Cup is open to all
styles and includes several Ju Jitsu divisions as well as karate and Kung Fu.
Overall there were 26 competitors representing the American
team. We had 6 from California make the trip this year; 2 from Ukiah and 4 from
Jackson!
The American team brought home a total of 80 medals! 39
gold, 25 silver, 16 bronze, and 4 Irish Cups.
Our local Jackson contingency consisted of Sensei Rodney
Peoples and Adam Avitia along with the support team of Susana Peoples and her
sister Tami Groves. Sensei Peoples won 3 golds 1 Silver and a share of the team
fighting Irish Cup.
His student Adam Avitia also won 3 golds, 1 silver, 1
bronze, and a share of the team fighting Irish Cup!
Sensei Peoples stated he was very proud of Adam and his
performance on the trip! His parents should be very proud of how he handled
himself not only on the mat but with other team members as well as team members
from other countries.
This year's trip consisted of a trip to Poland and Ireland.
We arrived in Warsaw on Friday June 10th and to Dublin Wednesday June 15th.
The Poland portion of the trip was very educational as we
visited many historical sites in Warsaw including the Warsaw Rising Museum, the
University of Warsaw while they were celebrating their 200th anniversary, the
Warsaw Rising Memorial, watched the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown
and many other historical sites.
We took a train ride to Auswitch which was a very eye
opening experience! You learn about these places from history in but the detail
you learn from being there is amazing.
In Ireland we visited many sites in Dublin including St
Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, and even saw the amazing Book of Kells.
We also took a 3 hour coach ride through some very beautiful
and very green countryside to Blarney Castle. The castle was awesome but the grounds
and gardens were great as well!
Overall we had an amazing trip we saw many sites and was a
very educational trip for the youth as well as the adults.
All competitors that participated in the Ko Sutemi West Qualifier this past
April at Delta College automatically qualify for the 21st Irish Cup to be held
in June of 2017 in Dublin Ireland. The Ko Sutemi West will be hosting a West
Coast Qualifier in April of 2017 for the 22nd Irish Cup to be held in Dublin,
Ireland in June of 2018. Anyone interested in making the trip next year please
contact us.
We are also a Visions Vendor.
