Mr. Williams' martial arts history is rooted in several martial arts. The first martial art that he studied was Taekwondo. His first instructor was Manuel C. Pina. Mr. Williams began studying in 1971 and received his black belt from Mr. Pina in August of 1982. Mr. Williams was one of Mr. Pina's first black belts being the first black belt officially tested by Mr. Pina. When he was promoted Mr. Pina passed down his original black belt which Mr. Williams continues to wear until this day.
Mr. Pina began studying Taekwondo under Eduardo "Eddie" Castor. He received his black under Mr. Castor in 1973. Master Eduardo Castor is the Instructor/Owner of Castor's Academy of Taekwondo in Lakewood, CO. He started Training in Moo Duk Kwan TaeKwondo while stationed in Korea with the U.S. Army in 1963. Mr. Castor trained under the tutelage of 10th Dan Grand Master, Bobby Kim for over 40 years and currently holds a 8th Dan (degree) Black Belt.
In the late 70's Mr. Williams trained under Sam Price. In the 60's Mr. Price attended a tournament where he met Russ Perrone, one of Mr. Kim’s Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do. Perrone invited Mr. Price to train with him and Mr. Kim any time he was in Colorado. Mr. Price took them up on their offer and trained with them about once a month, when possible, for the next couple of years. During this time, Mr. Perrone promoted Sam to Black Belt in order for Sam to be able to compete as a member of Mr. Kim’s tournament fighting team. Then, in about 1972, Sam met James Henshaw in Hutchinson. Henshaw had been stationed with the US Army in Sachebo, Japan and had his Black Belt in Japanese Go Ju Ryu Karate. Sam studied with Mr. Henshaw and was promoted to Black Belt in GoJu Ryu Karate.
Mr. Williams being rooted in two strong classical martial arts continued to train with other notable martial artists in various systems learning their styles, systems and weapons. His years of study and training have made him one of the best instructors in Kansas.
NEW STUDENTS
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| Cayden, Gagnon, Dawson, Brayden, Canyon, Cade |
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| Alex Graduates from Lil' Dragons |
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| Lazarus |
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| Lucas |
KANSAS SUPERFIGHTS SNOWMEGGADON
January 28, 2012 Results:
Zack Perry
1st Place 8-9 Novice Kata
2nd Place Kumite
Dakota Douglas
2nd Place 8-9 Novice Kata
1st Place Kumite
Taty Huhn
1st Place 11-12 Int. Kata
1st Place Weapons Kata
2nd Place Kumite
Christine Warring
1st Place Black Belt Kata
1st Place Weapons Kata
1st Place Kumite
FEBRUARY 4TH, 2012 BELT TEST
Tate Sazama - Jr. Brown
Taty Huhn - Jr. Brown
Nolan Clark - Purple
Jolea Wheeler - Jr. Purple
Levi Geesling - Jr. Purple
Shayla Johnson - Jr. Purple
Madison Francis - Jr. Green
SEVEN TRAINING PRECEPTS
Karate is a martial art. You must practice with the utmost seriousness from the very beginning. This means going beyond being simply diligent or sincere in your training. In every step, in every movement of your hand, you must imagine yourself facing an opponent with a drawn sword. Each and every punch must be made with your entire body behind it, with the feeling of destroying your opponent with a single blow. You must believe that if your punch fails, you will forfeit your own life.
Try to do exactly as you are taught without complaining or quibbling. Only those lacking zeal and unwilling to face up to themselves resort to quibbling. You cannot train through words. You must learn through your body. Enduring pain and anguish as you strive to discipline and polish yourself; you must believe that if others can do it, you can do it too.
When you are learning a new technique, practice it wholeheartedly until you truly understand it. Do not crave to know everything all at once. Practice painstakingly. Karate has many techniques and kata. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that because there is so much to learn, you should learn everything in a general way. Don’t pretend to be a great master and don’t try to show off your strength. It is absurd that many of those practicing the martial arts feel they must make a show of being a martial artist. The tendency to act big or superior is usually most conspicuous among novices. By acting that way, they degrade and ruin the reputation of those seriously practicing martial arts.
Remember that you must always have a deep regard for courtesy, and must be respectful and obedient towards your seniors. There is no martial art that does not stress the importance of courtesy and respectful manners.
You must ignore the bad and adopt the good. When you observe the practice of others and discover something that you should learn, try to master it without hesitation. If you see a man sliding into idleness, examine yourself with strict eyes. When you see a man who is particularly good at kicking, ask yourself why his kick is so good. How can you learn to kick like that; how does your kick differ? In this manner, you should be able to devise a method to improve your kick. When you see a man that does not seem to improve, again ask yourself why. Maybe he does not train enough or maybe he lacks determination. Ask yourself, does not the same hold true for you?
Think of everyday life as karate training. Do not think of karate as only belonging to the dojo, nor only as a fighting method. The spirit of karate practice and the elements of training are applicable to each and every aspect of our daily lives.
Master Gichin Funakoshi
KARATE-DO NYUMON
