Chief Instructor

Sensei Mark Williams (4th Dan)

Sensei Williams started his Shotokan Karate training under the late Sensei Colin Williams (7th Dan) of the B.K.I. in Chester, where he gained his first and second Dan. He also competed in many national and regional championships. After twenty years or more of training under Sensei Colin Williams he formed his own club, Sunderland Karate Central, where he teaches the art of Traditional Shotokan Karate in the same way that he was taught by his late instructor.

In February 2005 Sensei Williams passed his examination for 3rd Dan under Sensei Dave Sharkey (7th Dan) of the English Karate Organisation (EKO). In December 2007 Sunderland Karate Central became a member of the Cobra Martial Arts Association (C.M.A.A.).

In 2008 he was awarded his 4th Dan by the C.M.A.A. under Sensei Andrew Morrell (6th Dan). This ratification of grade was partly due to time served between his 2nd Dan and 3rd Dan (eleven years).

Sensei Williams is a C.M.A.A. Level One Instructor.

Sunderland Karate Central was founded in 2004 by Sensei Williams. Sensei Williams' aim is to maintain the traditional values of Shotokan Karate and he is also passionate about teaching the spiritual as well as the physical benefits of this martial art, as taught by Master Funakoshi Gichin.

Sempai Dan Dixon (1st Dan)

Dan first started his karate training under the guidance of Sensei Williams in 2005 with his daughter Sophie, who is also in preparation for her black belt. Since then Dan has become a  loyal and valuable member of the club. He trains twice a week at both Fulwell venues and was asked by Sensei Williams to help out with teaching some of the class.

After three and a half years of hard, dedicated traing under the watchful eye of  Sensei Williams, Dan achieved his Black Belt (1st Dan) in November 2008.

Dan is now in preparation for his 2nd Dan, and would like to thank Sensei Williams for his guidance and support.

Sempai Sophie Dixon (1st Dan)

It was in 2005 when Sophie first started her karate training under the guidance of Sensei Williams.

Since then, Sophie has come a long way from being a shy, young student to a more confident, experienced karate practitioner. On more than one occasion Sophie received the award of "Young Student of the Month".

Having passed her Junior Black belt in 2009 Sophie can now focus on the direction of her future karate career without the pressure of regular grading examinations.

Sempai Andrew Ord (1st Dan)

"I first started my karate training in Nottingham in 2005 when I was persuaded by two work colleagues to go along with them to try it out. I had respected and admired martial artists since an early age but never thought I would be able to do it well, and I thought at 25 I was far too old! My work colleagues rubbished my concerns and told me that they had both started and achieved their black belts in their forties.
 
"To cut along story short, I simply fell in love with karate and within a matter of months I was fascinated by the movements and discipline but, more importantly, how simple self defence essentially was.

"I also made new friends and got into good shape, but the biggest difference was the increase in confidence that karate gave me.
 
"I gained my first two belts in Nottingham and then gained my next three belts on the Isle of Wight under Sensei Mark Elliot 4th Dan (S.E.K.U). 
 
"I achieved 3rd Kyu in Tunbridge Wells under Sensei Mick Foster 4th Dan T.S.K.A who I can thank for reigniting my interest in karate at the time, and gained my 1st kyu at Sensei Williams' club in Fulwell.

"I have also trained in Dublin and at Newcastle University. I have been with Sunderland Karate Central and Sensei Williams since September 2008 and have been very impressed with Sensei Williams' attitude and teaching skills. The lessons are varied, exciting and I enjoy training twice a week.

"I have learned much with Sensei Williams and my standard has improved with his tuition."

Andrew gained his Black Belt 1st Dan in December 2009.

Sempai Rob Berry (1st Dan)

"I started my karate training in 1992 at the Honto Shin Shotokan Karate Club in Sunderland under Sensei Liz Fraser (3rd Dan), a good B.A.S.K.A. club with a high standard of karate. I trained hard and got up to my 6th Kyu.

"When I was just about to go for my 5th Kyu I got a knee injury and had to have an operation to fix it. I was out of training for about 3 months. When I got back into the dojo I found I'd lost my motivation, and with personal reasons I stopped training. Big mistake!!

"It was 14 years later when I stepped into a dojo under my old training partner from Honto Shin Karate Club, Sensei Kenny Hope (3rd Dan), who had teamed up with Sensei Kris Morton (3rd Dan) also from Honto Shin Karate Club. They had opened a new club, Jin Do Kyokai, a traditional Shotokan club.

"I started training there with my two daughters, Megan and Allanah Jo, and my sister Marion. I got lots of motivation and my will back to train hard, and with that I went up through the ranks and gained my 2nd Kyu. Unfortunately the club had to close, and I was left looking for a new club.

"I got on the internet and the first club that came up was Sunderland Karate Central which was in the same association, Cobra Martial Arts. I rang Sensei Williams (4th Dan), and asked if it was OK to train and bring along some of the other Jindo Kyokai students.

"As soon as I got in the dojo I knew we had found the right club. We were greeted with a friendly welcome from Sensei Williams, and seeing the high standard of Karateka present we all got down to training. Before I knew it I had gained my Shodan.

"Now I'm looking to the future, training at Sunderland Karate Central, with Sensei Williams and his students."

Sempai Callum Bradfield (1st Dan)

"I started training in 2004 when I was 7. I trained at the Zen Kan Karate club under the instruction of Sensei Bruce Johnson (A.M.A). Just after I gained my 3rd kyu I joined Jindo Kyokai Shotokan Karate club (C.M.A.A) under the instruction of Sensei Ken Hope (3rd dan) and Kriss Morton (3rd dan). In 2008 I gained my 1st kyu.

"Then in 2009 the club closed, so Sempai Rob Berry searched for new clubs and Sunderland Karate Central was on top of the list. It was also licensed under the C.M.A.A.

"I went along, very nervous, but when I arrived Sensei Williams welcomed us and I knew it was a good club with high standards. In December 2009 I won the Student of the Month award and gained my first Dan.

"I am looking forward to the rest of my time at Sunderland Karate Central."

Megan Berry (1st Kyu)

"I started my karate training with my dad at the Jin Do Kyokai karate club in 2007 under Sensei Kenny Hope and Chris Morton. I trained at Springwell first, then the club moved to Highfield School.

"I trained really hard and made a lot of friends. I passed all of my gradings up to 4th kyu (Purple and White belt). Then we heard that the club was closing and had to look for another club. My Dad asked if I and some of my friends would like to go along to Southerland Karate Central to train to see if we liked it. The Sensei was Mark Williams.

"We trained for the first time with the SKC students and enjoyed ourselves. I've now made some new friends and graded up to 1st Kyu. I hope to get my black belt soon, when I'm ready."
 
Megan is a quiet girl, studious and hard working. Her potential as a quality karateka is plain to see, and this was reinforced when she was awarded the coveted Student of the Month award for September 2009.