Day of celebration at Galway City School of Judo
Christ Hickey is promoted to 7th Dan black belt
A special celebration took place at the Galway City School of Judo recently to mark the awarding of the 7th Dan Black Belt to the chief coach at the club, Chris Hickey.
The proceedings were launched by club president, Michael Conneely, who extended a welcome to Paul Pender, the chairperson of Connacht Judo; as well as representatives of Kodakan Ireland, University College Cork Judo Club, Kilkenny Judo Club, University of Galway Judo Club, and Galway Judo Club.
The 7th Dan Promotion was a combined recognition of Hickey's services to local, provincial, national, and international judo by the International Judo Federation, the European Judo Union, and the Irish Judo Association.
Hickey served as national grader for many years and became member of the newly-formed National Grading Committee; while as a former All-Ireland Kata silver medallist, he became part of the Kata Commission of the Irish Judo Association.
As an International Judo Federation Olympic Level referee, he remains an integral part of the Irish Judo Association's refereeing committee. He is also the technical referee in charge of all the leading competitions on the Island of Ireland, and is one of the founding participants of the present day coaching system within the Irish Judo Association and is currently an active tutor in the Jurisdiction.
Many tributes were paid to him at the gathering by the representatives, including tributes of appreciation from 4th Dan Black Belt, Paraic Hernon of the Galway City School of Judo; and from Colm O'Riordan, head coach, University of Galway Judo Club, who also presented him with a photo montage depicting a timeline of notable events in the lifetime of the Galway City School of Judo in recent years.
He has coached members to All-Ireland gold, silver, and bronze medals this year, while his daughter and club member, Jessica, won the All Ireland Intervarsities gold in her category last March.