Keena launches new karate book at Athlone event

A new book by karate practitioner and instructor Anto Dinesh, The Scientific Art of Karate: Power, Precision, Principle & Leadership, was officially launched in Athlone on August 15.

The launch took place at Involve Youth and Community Services in Monksland and was hosted by Kandeepan Somasuriyasingham, Tamil Community Representative in Ireland and a Board member of the Shotokan Karate Academy International in Ireland. Councillor Frankie Keena attended as chief guest and officially launched the book, receiving the first copy from the author.

Addressing those gathered for the occasion, Cllr Keena praised Anto Dinesh for his dedication to karate and his more than 35 years of experience on the dojo floor.

Anto holds a 7th Dan Black Belt at national and international level, as well as a 6th Dan World Karate Federation (WKF) Black Belt. He is an Asian Karate Federation (AKF) Kata Judge and a National Karate Referee.

He is also a member of the Japan Karate Federation (JKF) and previously served as Chairman of Sri Lanka’s National Karate Selection Committee, where he was responsible for the selection of the country’s national karate team.

In Ireland, Anto has served as a judge and referee with ONAKAI, the National Governing Body for Karate in Ireland. Among those attending the launch were Michael Power, representing Involve Youth and Community Services a representative of ONAKAI and Tony Colgan, former principal of Marist College, Athlone.

Alongside his achievements in martial arts, Anto is a Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate and has undertaken advanced martial arts training under internationally recognised masters.

He was awarded the title of Shihan in the United States in 2012 and in Japan in 2017, before attaining the title of Kyoshi in the United States in 2020 following the successful completion of the relevant advanced Dan diploma examinations.

Anto remains committed to the lifelong pursuit of excellence in karate and education, as well as supporting the development of future generations.

The Scientific Art of Karate: Power, Precision, Principle & Leadership is Anto Dinesh’s third published book. His previous works are Martial Arts Historical & Technical and The Art of Karate – The Path to Recognition.