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Joe Williams, Style Head and Grand Master
Grand Master Joe Williams began his Judo training in 1968 under Sensei Tubbs, and in 1973, began training in Atemi-Ryu under Sensei Sweany. Williams was active in the competition circuit and became a board member for the Florida Sunshine Games and director of Karate for Florida Police Olympics. After obtaining his Second Degree Black Belt, he started training in the art of U.S.A. Goju, first under Grand Master Joe Hess, then earning his Black Belt under Master Buster Timmons. While still training in Atemi during this time, he obtained the rank of Yodan (fourth degree) in Atemi-Ryu.
Sweany passed away in 1992 after a lengthy illness, at which time the United States Karate Association named Williams the Style Head of Atemi-Ryu and Regional Director of the USKA. The United States Judo Association's Executive Director named Williams as Head Coach for Gold Coast Judo Association, as well as Florida Director of Development for the USJA. In 1993, he was installed into the prestigious World Sokeship Council, which is an International Council of Grand Masters.
Williams has also been inducted in the following halls of fame:
— World Martial Arts Hall of Fame
— World Sokeship Hall of Fame
— Christian Martial Arts Hall of Fame
— Florida Cosmopolitan Hall of Fame
— Action Martial Arts Magazine
— Okinawan Karate Hall of Fame
Grand Master Williams is a favorite seminar clinician, often teaching with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Joe Lewis, Vincent Marchetti and Bob Mac Ewen, and has also [authored articles] and has been featured in magazines.
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Lawrence Klaman, Second Degree Blackbelt
Started his martial arts training in 1986 at the University of Florida, studying Judo and USAGoju.
—Has a military background as a Special Forces officer in the US Army.
—Became a Deputy Sheriff for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in 1990.
—Started training in Atemi-Ryu Karate under Shihan Joe Williams in 1991.
—In 1994, under the guidance of Shihan Williams, began teaching KOP-RYU (Karate Oriented Policing-Rehabilitative Youth Unit) to at-risk kids throughout Broward County.
—Received Shodan in summer of 1995.
—In 1995, became a School Resource Officer, teaching the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) curriculum at different elementary schools.
—In 1996, became a certified instructor in GREAT (Gang Resistance Education And Training), teaching youth the dangers of gang involvement.
—Formed BSO’s first gang prevention summer program in Fort Lauderdale, which is a free educational full time program for teenagers. This was done with absolutely no financing from BSO. Program was so successful that BSO received a federal grant to fund the program during the school year, as well as for the summer. The summer program has expanded to three sites throughout the County.
—Received Nidan in Atemi-Ryu in 2002.
—Provides free seminars on preventing sexual assault/rape prevention to women, Stranger/Danger and Personal Safety to children, as well as Crime prevention classes.
—Continues to teach martial arts to children, teenagers and adults through the Police Athletic League. Refuses to take money from children. Instead holds fundraisers on weekends to pay for kids’ uniforms, equipment, and tournament fees. |
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Demani Smith, Second Degree Blackbelt
Sensei Smith began his martial arts journey at the age of 10 with U.S.A. GOJU RYU. It was here that he learned humility and developed a fighting spirit. Two years later, he met Grand Master Joe Williams, who helped him to see that the martial arts is more than kicking and punching. There is a spiritual side to it as well, where you put everything you've got into your technique. One of Senei Smith's proudest moments in his martial arts history is when Grand Master Williams honored him with his Masters Judo Gee.
Within five years, Sensei Smith advanced to the rank of Second Degree Brown Belt, were he began to instruct the junior class. Instructing young people has been a rewarding experience for Smith, and his students hold him in high regard. Sensei Smith received the rank of Shodon in 2002. This is were his real journey begins. . .
"Your next rank helps you discover a part of yourself that brings you closer to your next journey. It never stops - there is always room for improvement."
—Sensei Demani Smith
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Norman A. Sosa, First Degree Black Belt
As a student of martial arts since 1984, Norman knows the value of discipline, team work and achieving one's goals. Since he began his Atemi-Ryu training in 1991, Norman has received numerous awards, but feels that instructing children has been an even greater honor.
Milestones:
1993 - Awarded the Service Award from Gold Coast Martial Arts .
1993 - Began teaching for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hollywood.
1993 - Awarded the Certificate of Appreciation from The Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
1994 - Awarded the Special Award from The Boys & Girls Club of America.
1994-1996 - Martial Arts Instructor: Taught 40 students, ages 7 - 15.
1995-1999 - Martial Arts Instructor: Rape Prevention, Law Enforcement ( Disarm, Restrain and Multiple Attack Assessment).
2002 - Received rank of Shodan, Atemi-Ryu Karate.
2002 - Awarded the Outstanding Student of The Year from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame.
2002 - Graduated from Executive Protection Institute as a Certified Personal Protection Specialist.
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Joseph Robert Williams, First Degree Black Belt
Sensei Williams began his training in 1988 at three years old under his father, Grand Master Joseph Williams, and earned his Black Belt in 2002. He was also awarded Student of the Year by the prestigious World Sokeship Council. He was recognized by the Florida Martial Arts Hall of Fame for a program he developed called H.I.T.S., in which he collects and donates martial arts equipment to schools in high crime areas to benefit at-risk kids. Sensei Williams will attend Florida State University beginning in Fall 2003 and plans to teach martial arts there. |
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Sensei Roberto Bruguera, Nidan
Sensei Bruguera began his Shotokan Karate training in 1967, while living in Havana, Cuba. He earned his black belt in 1975 and later opened a dojo in Havana. Sensei Brugera received his second degree black belt in Atemi-Ryu by Grandmaster Williams and currently teaches for the Broward Sheriff's Police Athletic League. |
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Sensei Demetrio Beltran, Shodan
Sensei Beltran was born in Guerro, Mexico. He started his Atemi-Ryu Karate training in 2001. Sensei Beltran is a fierce competitor, winning many tournaments with his outstanding technique.
Sensei Beltran is currently preparing to open Atemi-Ryu's first school in Mexico.
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Sensei Jorge Olivera, Shodan
Sensei Olivera began his Karate training in Uruguay, in 1986, where he studied the art of Shotokan Karate. Sensei Olivera received his black belt in Atemi-Ryu in 2006. Sensei Olivera is an excellent fighter, placing in every tournament he has entered to date. |
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Sensei Alan Abeles, Shodan
Sensei Abeles is a native of Bronx, New York. He began his training in Atemi-Ryu Karate in 2001. He is well versed in both Atemi and mixed martial arts and maintains an active license as a mixed martial arts and boxing referee with the Florida State Boxing Commission. |
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Sensei Emilio Gonzales-Moreno,
First Degree Black Belt
Sensei Emilio began his martial arts training in Argentina. Upon moving to the U.S., he found Atemi-Ryu and Grand Master Williams. He received his Shodan in Spring 2006. Sensei Emilio manages the Atemi-Ryu Kids Program.
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Sensei Ted Koerner
Born 1959, achieved his black belt Shodan on May 27, 2006 in front of the World Head of Family Sokeship Counsel. He has studied Atemi-ryu Karate under Grand Master Joe Williams since 2002. Sensei Koerner has also studied Kubudo (the Art of Weaponry) under the tutelage of Master Tadashi Yamashita and Sensei Bud Shafer.
Sensei Ted Koerner teaches classes at Brian Piccolo Park in Pembroke Pines.
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Sensei Hector Fuentes, First Degree Black Belt
Sensei Fuentes started training in Kyokoshin Karae in Uruguay, 1974. Upon arrival to the U.S., he began training under the tuteledge of Grand Master Williams. He received his Shodan in 2006. Sensei Fuentes actively manages the PAL Karate Program.
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Additional Guest Instructors
As a special treat, Sensei Williams calls upon his many friends in the martial arts field to offer his Dojo 'Guest Instructors' on occasion. This broadens the horizons of the students and gives them the benefit of learning from many masters!
Vincent Marchetti:
Grandmaster of Michi Budo Ryu - Kearny Martial Arts, New Jersey.
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