MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
AN INTERVIEW WITH
MASTER
DERRICK WILLIAMS
AUG / 2010
To interpret error is to give it power
and having done this you will over look the truth.
Interview by Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
My name is Eddie Morales and welcome to Martialforce.com Online Martial arts magazine. I want to introduce our readers to Master Derrick Williams. Master Williams is a New York based Martial Artist and has been dedicated to the art of Shotokan Karate for many years. He is looked up to by his peers as an extremely knowledgeable practitioner and teacher. When watching him compete, practice or teach, it becomes apparent that he has endured the most meticulous training and practice to reach the level that he has achieved. His no nonsense approach to street defense coupled with his genuine caring of human life makes for a determined and powerful force in the Martial Arts community. I have witnessed his demonstrations many times as I watched him in the fighting and Kata arena and the end result has always been a polished warrior conquering the next level. Master Williams walks through life accepting its lessons and perfecting his art and self. He has a very humble manner outside of the ring which reflect his personification of the bushido way. We here at Martialforce.com are proud to bring you this interview and it is our hope that you enjoy the journey of a true Master Warrior.
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers where you were born and raised?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I was born and raised in the South Bronx New York City.
Martialforce.com: What is your occupation?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I am a Professional Photographer as well as the Executive Director of the Bronx Photographic Center.
Martialforce.com: What age did you begin your Martial Arts studies and with whom did you study?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I began my Studies of Budo on February 2, 1964 with Nathaniel Mc Bride and James Yates at the Forest Houses Community Center in the Bronx.
Martialforce.com: Can you tell our readers who were some of your influences regarding Martial Arts and how did they influence you?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Soke Nathaniel Mc Bride, Soke James Yates, Osamu Ozawa, Errol Bennett Shihan and Professor Abdul Mutakabbir. In regards to their influence on me, all of them taught me to embody the art as oppose to just practicing.
Martialforce.com: What got you involved in tournament competition and when did you begin?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Watching the Sempai's train (Senior Students), and then Mc Bride, Soke took me to a Shiai (fight competition between two schools) to fight at the tender age of 8yrs. In the year of 1968. The location was Willis Ave, at a church in the Bronx.
Martialforce.com: Is it true that singer Joe Bataan was one of your students?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Joe Bataan’s entire family studied shotokan karate with me for many years. His son earned the rank of nidan,his wife and daughter both earned shodan. Joe was also the manager of the Derrick Williams uptown dojo. He accomanied me to many tournaments and handled the administrative durties at the Dojo. He is a great and humble person and is still performing today in the music buisness.
Martialforce.com: Why did you choose the Shotokan style of Karate to study?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I did not choose the style, the style chose me. I felt it was a calling after training in the style of Shotokan. It was right for my mind and body structure. I love its practice with all the passion in my soul.
Martialforce.com: In regards to your students, do you maintain a strong regimen in following with the way you were trained?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Yes I do, my belief is that a teacher by virtue of leading by example, must practice harder then his or her students. This inturn will give the students the motivation to train hard. It will also instill in them the desire to maintain the old ways of traditional practice.
Martialforce.com: Do you have any short-term goals in relation to Karate and or life?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: To re-introduce the “Battle of Bushido Karate Championship tournament” back to its dedicated competitors and practitioners.
Martialforce.com: What are your long-term goals?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: To continue to train and take myself, my art and students to the highest level of performance and practice. Karate cultivates in a positive manner and enhances ones life in and outside of the Dojo setting.
Martialforce.com: What is your definition of a strong Karateka?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: One who personifies the characteristics of leadership and honor, while being able to develop others to do the same. A strong Karateka is a man or women with a focused mental posture and relaxed way of being when there is a task at hand. As Karate is our tool of development the end result should be a responsible, caring and passionate human being. The person must be able to demonstrate their ability but more over they must live its results.
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on young people under the age of 18 having high ranks over 6th degree?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I find it absolutely disturbing; to me Karate is a tool for life and my belief is that one must live before they can teach about living. Whoever is responsible for giving these high ranks and false sense of security should be mentally examined by a trained professional. As for the individuals holding these ranks, there will one day be someone that says, “Put Up Or Shut Up and hopefully you could step up to the plate and put up.”
Martialforce.com: What would you like to see in the tournament arena in regards to progress in general?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I would like to see more professionalism from competitors and judges alike. A restoration of Reshiki (Etiquette) with the sincere spirit of Budo displayed as opposed to the ego that is so loosely observed.
Martialforce.com: Have you ever trained in Japan and if so is the training different and how?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Yes, I have trained with Osamu Ozawa, Kanazawa and Mikami Shihans. The training consisted of kihons (Basics), Kata (Prearranged Movements), Kumite (Fighting), Meditation, history and Philosophy. The training began at sunrise lasting until sun down. This is a very dedicated manner of training, which I still maintain because it keeps me in balance.
To answer your question the difference is in the length of time on any given training session. To train in long periods of time will test your spirit and endurance to its highest level, the Kodo, (Old Way). The strong point of this type of training is that you discover your limitations and plainly see what needs development. This in turn will take your Karate to a higher level of practice.
Martialforce.com: What can a person that knows nothing of the martial arts expect to learn when they enter your Dojo (school)?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: The first thing they learn is that our goal is dedicated to seeking the perfection of character. This is introduced through respect for self and others following the Reshiki (Etiquette) of our school. The physical introduction will be through the practice and understanding of basics. I teach a well-rounded curriculum, which covers self-defense, strong basics and in-depth analysis of technique application. Each new student must wait approximately one month before being considered and accepted as a member of my school. This gives them time to know if they really want to pursue the training and allows me to evaluate them aswell.
Martialforce.com: Who are some of the toughest competitors you have faced in your tournament career?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Billy Beason, Kevin Little KA Thompson, William Oliver, Kevin and Kerry Garris, Darren Lloyd and Franklin Puello. These were some of the most fearless fighter's in the world.
Martialforce.com: What are some of the most successful techniques, which you have used in tournament competition?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Sweeping and stomping, reverse punch, hook kick, round house kick. All very basic techniques, but extremely effective in and out of the ring!
DERRICK WILLIAMS ATTACKING ON LEFT
Martialforce.com: In your opinion, what is the most significant difference in tournaments now as opposed to twenty-five ago and is the difference for the worst or better?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Today’s tournaments are more commercial and the participants are more like cartoon superheroes. When I came up in the tournament circuit we had to fight hard. It was more of a realistic feeling of war. You felt as if there was only one way to return home, which was with the head of the enemy. Strong basics and adherence to focused technique don’t seem as important these days. In regards to worst or better I believe it’s a matter of preference.
1980’S BILLY BEASON VS DERRICK WILLIAMS
WILLIAMS AND BEASON 2010
PETER KALIF WILLIAMS, DAVID WASHINGTON, DERRICK WILLIAMS, JONAS NUNEZ
AND KNEELING IS REGGIE MCGEE
Martialforce.com: Do you practice Kobudo as part of your training?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Yes, I do, but I don't demonstrate it that much in tournaments. I am very meticulous when it comes to study, practice and research!
Martialforce.com: What are your thoughts on Kata (Pre-arranged movement) in regards to its value and practice?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: The practice of Kata is very relevant, in the development of the martial artist. It is a tool that is used to measure the progress of the student as well as improve on balance, speed, focus and coordination. While performing conscious Waza (techniques) one gains a deeper understanding in regards to the development from the inside out, and not just the outside in regards to mechanics of movement and its aesthetics. Kata is a proven method of practice and if done correctly will enhance the practitioners movements to the highest level.
Martialforce.com: Do you think children should learn Martial Arts and if so, why?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Yes! because of the spiritual cultivation one gains through training. Today it seems like we are more concerned with the development of techniques and not of the self. To interpret error is to give it power and having done this you will over look the truth.
Many athletes believe in cross training, what are your thoughts on this?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Yes I love to run and train the old way, Junbi Undo and Hojo Undo which are the warm-up and conditioning exercises that were systemized by the great Karate Master Chojun Miyagi in the 1920's.
These exercise have the dual, compatible goals of developing both optimal health, and a physique suited to the performance of martial arts techniques.
I also incorporate a lot of modern day resistance training and this is why I am still currently active and having a grand time at it still.
Martialforce.com: What do you feel is your greatest achievement in Martial Arts or life?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I would have to say, being able to give back, and being a Great student of the Arts as well as a good teacher, but always being a student first!
Martialforce.com: Do you currently teach and if so where?
DERRICK WILLIAMS: I have been teaching in the same location for many years,
3603 third ave. (169 st.) in the Bronx, NY
Martialforce.com: Thank you for this interview and we here at Martiailforce.com wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
DERRICK WILLIAMS: Thank you for this opportunity to express my thoughts. This is an excellent magazine and I praise your efforts.
08-04-2010 THE GATHERING AT BBQ’S, E.73RD AND 3RD AVENUE
Sam McGee, Franklin Puello and his wife Luz Puello, Jerry “Fast Feet” Fontanez, Billy Beason and Derrick Williams.
To Martialforce.com