Tuesday the 25th October saw the start of the events in the World Karate Championships in Linz, Austria. Coaching courses, referees' examinations and General Congress all took place before the start of the World Championships. Coaches Marie Dolphin, Paul Brennan and Ronan Flynn were successful in passing their WKF coaching accreditation courses, after sitting and passing the WKF exam.

General Congress, held every two years, is a chance for the WKF executive committee and the representatives of the member countries to discuss and vote on important matters. This year made for an exciting meeting as there was plenty to discuss and explain about Olympic inclusion for 2020 and beyond. Also at General Congress President Antonio Espinos was re-elected to the position for a further six years.

This year was the first time that the Opening Ceremony was held before the start of the elimination rounds and it was broadcast live on Austrian television. A live orchestra played on stage while two charismatic hosts announced the countries in the spectacular and one-of-a-kind ceremony. Athletes and spectators were then treated to a show of music, dance and talented singers. Starting the World Championships with some Austrian culture and art was a beautiful touch, making everyone feel how special an occasion it was, to be present at the first Karate World Championships as an Olympic sport.

Wednesday was the start of the competition with male and female kata categories. Shane Dolphin received a Bye in the first round. He then defeated his opponent from Mozambique convincingly in the second round 5-0. He then met Macao in the third round, losing 0-5. Getting to the third round in this category saw Shane finish in the top 27 athletes in the World.

Next up was +84 kg and Ireland's Gordon Smith. Smith was keen to continue the good start to the morning for Ireland, beating Kanokvilailkul from Thailand 1-0. In the second round Smith had another win, scoring 2-1 against England's Brandon Jewell. In the third round against Kazakhstan Smith was injured in the first thirty seconds and was unable to continue. A sad way to finish such a winning streak, as he was sure to progress further in the competition. With this result Smith was placed top 20 in the world.

The -84 kg Sean O'Connor had a difficult draw against Poorshaab, an Iranian fighter who regularly medals at K1 League events, in the first round. O'Connor was disqualified on category two penalties in the bout.

Up next was Justyne Collins in the +68kg female category. A close fight Justyn was very unlucky to lose 2-1 to her Columbian opponent.

Nicole Perry in -68kg event came up against Venezuelan fighter and former Pan American Gold Medallist, Omaira Molina, losing 2-0. Jordan Harrigan was the last fight of the day, competing in the -75kg men's event. Jordan unfortunately lost to the Dominican Republic 2-0.

First up on Day two of the competition was Rachel Early. She took on Utelbayeva from Kazakhstan in -61kg female kumite, losing 4-0. Mairi Kerin then fought Maeva Samy from Mali in a close bout in -55kg kumite, finishing 1-0 to Mali.
James McFadden received a bye in the first round of the -67kg male event, meeting Chinese Taipei in the second round. The flight ended in a 3-3 draw but the referees disappointingly favoured the Taipei competitor in the flag decision. The new rules system of have video play back and contesting points was fully implemented at the competition. Good judgment calls by the Irish coaches meant James was awarded three points through video reply. Aaron McLoughlin (-60kg) lost 6-0 to Plakhutin, former European bronze medallist from Russia.

The World Championships also included inclusive categories for intellectual impairment. blind and visually impaired and also wheelchair categories. There were some spectacular performances by these athletes, which will inspire others to join in the inclusive karate revolution. Canada's Patricia Wright and Germany's Albert Singer won the respective men's and women's intellectually impaired titles, while Germany's Helga Balkie and Moldova's Nicolai Bondarev took the gold medals in the blind and visually impaired classification to bring today's action to a close.

Gold medals were also awarded in the wheelchair categories, with Slovenia's Skender Tosic winning the men's title at the expense of home favourite Markus Mendy and Ukraine's Knarik Airapetian claiming the women's equivalent over compatriot Uliana Pcholkina.

Thursday evening saw the start of the male and female team kumite events. Always passionate and an energy packed event, team kumite did not disappoint. The Irish Ladies team was drawn against England in the first round. Debbie Long met Natalie Williams (former European medallist) in the first fight, losing 4-0. Rachel Earley then fought Carla Burkitt in a very close intense fight but unfortunately lost 5-3, therefore the ladies team did not progress further.

In the men's event Ireland drew Romania. In the first fight James McFadden treated us to a scoring frenzy and the most exciting comeback most of us have ever seen drawing 10-10. Aaron McLoughlin also won his fight with an exciting last second score to leave it 4-3. Unfortunately, with loses in the other three fights, Ireland did not move to the second round.

In the finals Ayumi Uekusa (Japan) beat Greece's Eleni Chatziliadou in the women's kumite over 68 kilograms category and Ryutaro Araga soon doubled Japan's gold medal haul with victory in the men's under 84kg final over Azerbaijan's Aykhan Mamayev. Ryo Kiyuna and Kiyou Shimizu (Japan) successfully defended their respective men's and women's kata titles at the 2016 Karate World Championships. Shimizu earned a second consecutive World Gold medal with victory over Egypt's Sarah Sayed in her final.

France came the closest to matching Japan's gold medal total with wins in the women's under 55kg and women's under 50kg kumite categories, through Emilie Thouy and Alexandra Recchia respectively, and the women's team kumite.

Azerbaijan's Rafael Aghayev, meanwhile, won his fifth World Championship gold medal as he defeated Egypt's Rahman Omar Abdel to claim the men's under 75kg crown.

There were also triumphs for home favourite Alisa Buchinger, defeating Denmark's Katrine Pedersen in the women's under 68kg final, and England's Jordan Thomas, who beat Hungary's Martial Yves Tadissi in the men's under 67kg gold medal match.

Japan secured their place at the top of the medal table at the 2016 Karate World Championships after claiming both the men's and women's team kata titles on the final day of action.

Ladies Kumite: Justyne Collins +68, Nicole Perry -68 and team, Rachel Earley -61 and team, Mairi Kerin -55 and Team, Debbie Long Team.

Male Kumite: Gordon Smith +84, Sean O Connor -84 and Team, Jordan Harringan -75 and Team, James Mc Fadden -67 and Team, Aaron McLoughlin -60 and Team, Rory Kavanagh Team .

Male Kata: Shane Dolphin.