The 2012 Cork Martial Arts promotions (CMAP) awards night took place on Saturday 2nd February; it was a highly entertaining, star studded and awe inspiring evening. The MC for the event, Mr. Ronan Leonard welcomed the award winners, the guest presenters and the audience of friends, family and supporters to the ceremony, where eight awards would be made over the course of the night. Opening speeches were made by Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. Joe O'Callaghan and County Mayor Cllr. Barbara Murray. Each entrance to the stage with accompanying music, plus the large screens showing the pictures and moving images of why the award winner had come to be there, made for a very entertaining evening. The room was packed to capacity, as presenters and awards winners made their addresses to the audience. To recount every speech would not capture what was a very fast paced, well organised, and high profile event. One could choose a wide selection of highlights from the moving speeches made by award recipients thanking the family, friends, students, coaches and team mates, who had brought them to that moment. With every presenter, carefully chosen by CMAP for their own particular attributes in life, in sport, or in relation to the recipient of the award, also came the story of life achievements, and with every acceptance speech came further motivation to work hard and follow your passion. The heavy bronze cast awards were a very fine representation of the honour being bestowed on each award winner. When it came to the last award of the evening the audience were on their feet in a standing ovation for the CMAP Hall of Fame inductee, Coach of West Cork Kick-boxing, Ian Kingston. "This man was the inspiration for CMAP because in training world and European champions for over thirty years, it was almost impossible to find a record of his list of achievements". CMAP presented an evening of awards, but also another event for Cork's Martial artists to unite at. This year's award winners were from the disciplines of Taekwon-Do, Karate, Muay Thai, Kick-boxing, and the recipients were from all over Cork County and city. The CMAP motto was definitely in full effect at this very enjoyable evening: "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

Junior Female Competitor of the Year Award- Lily De La Cour.   Bantry. The current W.A.K.O junior world kickboxing champion, previous European champion and ten national titles. Presented by Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. Joe O' Callaghan. Senior Female Competitor of the Year Award- Elaine Mc Elligott. Middleton. Muay Thai. Beat five-time world champion, Pantazi in Manchester 2012. Presented by Seán Kelly- professional show jumper, trainer and coach. Coach of the Year Award- Gerard Allen.  Bandon.  Training 23 years, 5th Degree Black Belt Examiner, TaeKwon-Do Ireland National team Coach 1990. Coached gold winners at Taekwon-Do World championships 2010 & 2012. Presented by Councillor Barbara Murray, Mayor of the County of Cork.                                        Lifetime Achievement Award- Sensei Abe McCarthy Nana Dan -7th Dan Black Belt. Shotokahn Karate. Mayfield Rhenshukan Karate Club was formed in 1971. His greatest pride is in "working to keep young people off the street, and helping to build character." Presented by Sergeant O'Connor, Community Policing Unit, Mayfield.

CMAP Awards 2012/13

The Award Winners and Guest Presenters

Junior Male Competitor of the Year Award- Jordan Dalton. Berrings. Christian Brother's student. 14 year old winner of two gold at this year's WKA World Kickboxing Championships. Also won silver in points and bronze in the team. Presented by Michael Winters, champion racehorse trainer. Senior Male Competitor of the Year Award- Aaron O Callaghan. Age 24. Clogheen. Muay Thai Boxing. ISKA Intercontinental Champion Title 2012, Oct. Neptune Stadium. His win from 3rd time world champ has put Cork on the European map. Presented by Gary O Sullivan, WBO International Middleweight Boxing Champion. Club of the Year Award- Siam Warriors. The Siam Warrior Muay Thai boxing gym was opened in 2005 at Nicholas Well Lane just off Blarney Street. Martin Horgan (2 times European Champion) runs the club. Members come from Kerry, Limerick, Fermoy, Macroom and Middleton and many more in the Cork area. Martin's pride in the club, as a group of committed members working together with strength and determination, was very evident in his speech. Presented by Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Cork city councillor.

CMAP Hall of Fame inductee- Ian Kingston. "I owe him everything. He is simply a fantastic coach," Lily de la Cour, competitor of the year. Ian has been training for over thirty years, during this time he has brought competitors to: Ten world titles. 6 European titles. Irish national coach for the past 6 years. National junior team ranked number 3 in the world following this year's world championships. Presented by Leonard Coughlan, managing director CMAP.