Sensei Michael J Hogan (4th Dan)

Sensei Michael J Hogan has from a very young age been keenly interested in the martial arts. He studied Judo, Jujitsu, Yoshiken Ryu karate and Shotokan karate. His long relationship with karate started at the age of 11.

Sensei Hogan’s interest in the martial arts started with Judo where he attained 1st Kyu (Brown belt) training under Sensei’s Tommy Waters and John Wall. His achievements in Judo include twice winning the county championships, winning the community games, attaining 1st place in Munster and 3rd place in the all Ireland championships.

Sensei Hogan Achieved his 4th Dan in September 2006.

He discovered his real interest in karate when he started Yoshiken Ryu karate with Sensei Michael Enright. At the age of 13, Sensei Hogan changed to the Shotokan karate style, training under Sensei John McCormack. Sensei McCormack is the founder of the Irish Amateur Karate Association (IAKA) and is the Chief Instructor for Ireland and for the CSKC. Sensei Hogan has also trained under other distinguished trainers like:

• Shihan ”Ticky” Donnovan
• Shihan Funakoshi
• Shihan Kanazawa
• Shihan Kawasoe
• Shihan Kasuya
• Sensei Enoeda
• Sensei Tometa
• Sensei Vick Charles
• Sensei Wayne Otto

Sensei Hogan attained his Shodan in 1988, Nidan in 1991, Sandan in 2002, Yondan in 2006.  He currently is working towards Godan.

Sensei Hogan’s love for the sport and for effective training techniques has led to his completion and passing a comprehensive course on the coaching of children. He also has attended a number of referee courses run by ONAKAI with Sensei Tommy Morris.

Sensei Hogan has passed the difficult referee and Judge courses and is striving towards one day achieving International referee status.

Sensei Hogan’s first karate club was set up in Quinn in 1987 and this was followed by the Cronan Club in Shannon. The Cronan club was later to become the Clare Shotokan Karate Club (CSKC) and has provided karate training in Bunratty, Kilkishen, Cratloe and Shannon to a large number of students.

The Kilkishen club has now moved to Kilmurray.

The club has grown from strength to strength and Sensei Hogan trained a number of fine Karateka who have successfully competed both at home and overseas. Sensei Hogan has trained 6 of his students to black belt level (Shodan), one student to Nidan and one student to Sandan. His goal is to further develop his students to an International standard and to accompany one or more of his students to the first Olympic Karate championships.