James Williams - Birmingham Area Instructor
2nd Dan & Birmingham Instructor
I began practicing Shoto Ryu Karate in 1996 at the age of 5 under the tutelage of Sensei Nick Moller (now of Shouri Shoto Ryu) in Avonmouth, Bristol. However due to a few false starts because of my young age and a rocky few years for my family, I did not begin grading until 1998 at the age of 8 when I was awarded my 7th Kyu. From this point on I quickly advanced through the belts, training 2 to 3 times a week, being commended for my first and second level 1st Kyu, until I received my 1st Dan Black Belt in 2003 at the age of 12.
Moller was at once a tough and gentle Sensei who instilled in me a love of Karate and respect for Dojo etiquette and to whom I owe much of my technique and understanding of Karate today. I began attending Summer Camp’s in 2001 and since have attended all that I have been able to. I always enjoy Summer Camp, relishing the physical exertion and the opportunity of training with many different Sensei’s, including in the past with Sensei Nash.
I knew Sensei Nash from grading courses he would attend in Bristol where I was graded for my lower belts. I was originally terribly scared of him, me being young and him seeming terribly fierce. However as I grew older and advanced further in Karate, I developed a great respect for Sensei Nash and greatly enjoyed training under him at courses, gradings and at Summer camp. One mantra of his has always stuck with me ‘Softness before Hardness, Slowness before Fastness’.
I was greatly saddened when he died in 2009 and I feel privileged to have trained under him. I continued training with Sensei Moller for some years following my 1st Dan before I began training with Sensei Kevin Hick in Kingswood, Bristol. I trained with Sensei Hick whenever I could until I moved to Birmingham for University in 2009.
I am now 21 and a student at the University of Birmingham studying Ancient History and teaching my own Karate class. Although now teaching Karate I am still learning and hope to continue doing so. I have tried various other martial arts at certain times such as Aikido, Shoto Kan Karate, Jujitsu and Taekwondo but have never felt comfortable training in anything other than Shoto Ryu.
I enjoy all aspects of Shoto Ryu’s wide syllabus in particularly Kata, Kumite, Tai Chi and the use of the Bo. Karate has taught me discipline, dedication and inner strength and calm. It has profoundly changed my life and I sincerely believe it will never stop being a part of it.
Dan Grades Awarded with Shoto Ryu Karate Kai
2003 - 1st Dan
2008 - 2nd Dan