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C.D. Williamson began his karate training in 1975 under Bob Williams in Lynchburg, VA. C.D. was introduced to Sensei Williams by his best friend Mr. Kent Hancock of Appomattox, VA. C.D. and Kent played high school football and baseball together. They also trained full contact karate together until 1980 when C.D. moved to Hampton, VA.
In Hampton, C.D. began entering tournaments up and down the east coast and in 1983 began National competitions all over the USA. In 1984 he made the USA/AAU Karate Team and competed in South America in the Pan-Am Games. At the same time he was teaching full time and had earned his SANDAN in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate. This promotion was made by HANSHI Shugoro Nakazato. From 1984 until 1986 C.D. added Kata and Weapons, as well as Kumite to his "repertoire". This allowed him to compete in all 3 divisions in tournaments and winning Grand Championships in all. In Dec 1986 he made his first trip to Okinawa and was promoted to GODAN by Nakazato Sensei. From this time on he continued to compete regularly and started focusing on opening his 1st Dojo in Newport News, VA. On June 30, 1990 he opened, "C.D. Williamson Karate". In a short time he had over 150 students and was well on his way to establishing one of the top schools in VA. In Oct, 1991 "The Battle of Hampton Roads" Karate Tournament was formed and is still one of the most respected tournaments in VA. In 1993 C.D. founded the Okinawan Shorin- Ryu ShorinKan Winter Camp that is held every February in Hampton, VA. Over the next few years, C.D. concentrated on his Dojo, tournaments and the Winter Camp. In June 1998, he sold his Dojo and moved to Destin, Florida with his son, Coy. During this break he traveled back to Okinawa for the fourth time and was promoted to 7th Dan KYOSHI in Shorin-Ryu by Nakazato and 5th Dan in Okinawan Kobudo in October of 1998. On May 6, 2011, Kyoshi traveled to Okinawa for training with Grand Master Nakazato. On May 7, 2011, Kyoshi was promoted to Hachi Dan (8th Degree Black Belt). Today, KYOSHI Williamson owns and operates "C.D. Williamson Karate and Kickboxing" in Niceville, Florida that he opened in November of 1998. Semi-retired from hard nosed competition, C.D. teaches and competes now at a causal level with a strong dojo that is growing everyday. |
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Richard's martial arts training began in 2001 when he met Kyoshi Williamson after being stationed at Hurlburt Field. In September 2006, after a knee injury and three deployments with the Air Force, Richard achieved his 1st Dan Black Belt. Sixteen months later in January of 2008 he achieved his 2nd Dan. On November 1st, 2009, Richard retired from the Air Force after 26 years and started attending Northwest Florida State College where he is pursuing his A.A.S. in Computer Information Administration. In January 2010 he achieved his curent rank of 3rd Dan. He teaches at the Dojo Mondays - Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. When Kyoshi Williamson goes on vacation, goes to teach at seminars, or goes to Okinawa to attend training, Richard runs the dojo for him.
Richard is also Kyoshi Williamson's lead instructor and dojo manager. |
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| 3rd Dan Alina Burroughs | 3rd Dan Jessey Burroughs |
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| 3rd Dan Josh Grubb | 3rd Dan Coy Williamson, Jr. |
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| 2nd Dan Jim Philyaw | 1st Dan Paige Hudson |
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| 1st Dan Sean Gabany |