Date of Birth – 06/10/1982
Place of Birth – Beckenham / Kent
Started Karate – aged 7
Current Rankings – #42 Full ranking / #32 for 2017 season / # 10 All time ranking
Karate Styles – Renshinkai
Height (metres) – 1.65m
Weight(kilos) – 61 Kg
Lead Coach – Lloyd Williams
PerformancePro Coach – Natasha Cassone
2013
European Championships – Bronze
2010
World Championships – Bronze
2009
European Championships – Silver
2006
World University Championships – 1 Gold 1 Silver
2005
Commonwealth Championships
2004
European Championships – Bronze
2003
Commonwealth Championships – 2 x Gold
European Championships – Bronze
– 21 European Championships – Silver
2002
World Championships – Bronze
World University Championships – 1 Gold 1 Bronze
European Championships – Bronze
Natalie has also won various K1 Medals at Paris, German, Dutch and Austrian events, plus multiple English and British Champion 10x titles
What is the best memory of your karateka career, so far?
‘I have so many it’s hard to choose. But one of the most memorable was winning a bronze at the world championships in 2010. We had committed so much that year in my training with the coach and the build-up was the best preparation I had ever had for a championships. The team was great, the coaches were great and I laughed every day in training, even after have a breakdown and crying one day. It was one of the perfect moments, when everything just came together.’
What is the secret to becoming a karate champion?
‘Hard work and dedication. You have to be willing to sacrifice everything.’
Your favourite quote?
‘Tears don’t win medals and when you can’t do one more. Do one more.’
Natalie Williams is one of the three athletes training with PerformancePro’s Karate2020 Olympic Training programme.
Find out more about PerformancePro’s KARATE2020 Training Programme >>