A 69-YEAR-OLD woman has punched and kicked her way to a black belt in karate.
Karin Williams took up self-defence in February 2009 and since then has competed in Las Vegas twice and even won a bronze medal in the Ozawa Cup – an international competition with over 900 competitors.
Her latest achievement was completing her first-dan black-belt exam at The Dojo, Humber Road, Beeston.
The retired legal executive of Louis Avenue, Beeston, said: "I have always been fit and active and I was getting a bit bored, so I thought I would try karate because it sounded better than line dancing.
"I got quickly hooked and I now love it.
"After winning my bronze medal in 2011, I was determined to come back and get my black belt.
"Completing it after my first attempt has been great and I am over the moon."
Mrs Williams believes she is a lot safer with her self-defence skills despite her age being the cause of some jokes.
She added: "I do get people asking if I will hit them with my Zimmer frame but I just joke back.
"I am the oldest person I know to have got a black belt and I am usually the oldest at competitions but I don't let it bother me.
"Karate is good for people of any age because it keeps you fit and teaches you skills to defend yourself.
"I will continue training and I want to now help with some instructing. I want to thank all instructors for taking me on."
To obtain the black belt Mrs Williams had to complete a series of complicated moves and fight with a partner.
Chief instructor Aidan Trimble believes that she is one of the oldest black belts in the area.
The former karate world champion said: "She has done extremely well and we are all proud of her. I do get people that are older coming for lessons because karate is great for balance, fitness, memory and being sociable.
"Karin is the oldest person I have trained up to black-belt level. She is extremely dedicated and I think that if she could, she would sleep at The Dojo."
