Randy Williams started training at Leeds Shotokan Karate Club (LSKC) under Sensei Bob Rhodes in 1975 and continued with the club until he sadly passed away in February 2012.
Randy passed his Shodan in April 1982. He was selected for the KUGB National Squad in 1983 and that same year was selected to represent the British Team at the WSKA World Championships held in Cairo. He then competed with LSKC at the KUGB National Championships at Crystal Palace, where he gained first place in Team Kumite.
Guided by Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Sherry, he kept his place on the National Team for eight years alongside the likes of Frank Brennan, Ronnie Christopher, Garry Harford, Ian Roberts, George Best, Karen Findley and Jane Naylor. During this time, he was fortunate enough to travel all over the world for competitions, and, in addition to Egypt, competed in many countries in Europe, such as Sweden, Germany, Turkey and Holland, with a succession of first and second place Team Kumite medals, most notably at the ESKA Championships in Sunderland in 1986 and 1987.
The next decade saw a string of further achievements. These included first place Kumite awards in EKB and KUGB championships, both individually and as a National Team member and winning the Shotokan Cup Individual Kumite in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He took first place in Individual Kumite in the Northern Region Championships and became KUGB Individual National Kumite Champion in 1996. He retired from individual competitions at this point but continued to play a role in team competitions.
Having competed for twenty years, he decided it was time to pass on some of the knowledge and experience gained from senior instructors and through training. Taking over from Sensei Rhodes, Randy started running Leeds Shotokan Karate Club in August 2000. He developed the club, passed Rokudan (6th Dan) in October 2006 and became a KUGB grading examiner in June 2007.
LSKC continued to grow in standard and size, and its members included many National Squad members and national and regional champions. Randy said this growth would not have been possible without the continued support of the KUGB.
Randy always said “When a new member joins, I aim to help them become confident, have values, to respect others and to be the best they can. Most importantly, I strive to turn out all-round Karateka, compliant in all aspects of Karate-do.”
