Hanshi William J Rawls Judan (10th Dan)
Founder of
The American Budo Society
Hanshi Rawls began his Martial Arts training in October 1961 at the age of 15. His Sensei was Sgt. Franklin T. Booth, Army Recruit in North Alabama & parts of Tennessee. Sgt. Booth taught Judo and Karate (Non-sport style, more Combatives (Jujitsu) since he was an Ex-Green Beret’) He started a club at Athens High School and expanded a school into Huntsville, Redstone Arsenal, and Decatur, AL as Chakras Judo.
He began helping teach as a Green Belt, helping students to learn break-falls. Along with other students under Booth, then as a Brown Belt he began traveling through out North Alabama with Sgt. Booth performing demonstrations at 3 TV Stations (Huntsville, Decatur and Florence) and at various High Schools. Chakras School of Judo grew rapidly.
He took over the Athens Club in 1967 as Sensei. In 1970 he met the late Grandmaster Leo D Wilson and began training in the Sport of Judo along with Shin Shin Jujitsu. Hanshi Rawls was a Co-Founder of Midori Yama Judokai (President for over 30 years) and Midori Yama Budokai serving on the Board of Directors until 2002.
The following is my lineage:
Jao Tung
Yeuh Fei
Li Chun
Tao Chi
Fa Cheng
Liu Shi Jun
Liu Cheng Yu
Chen Zi Zheng
Lau Fat Mang
Fan Gin-Han
Leo D Wilson
Hanshi Rawls holds the following ranks in various Martial Arts:
8th Dan in Yudo/Judo with the title of Hanshi
8th Dan in Shin Shin Jujitsu with the title of Hanshi
4th Dan in Shin Nagare Karate
4th Dan in Atmoryu Ju-Jitsu
10th Dan in Midori Yama Goshin Jujutsu with the title of Hanshi
Founder of American Budo Society as Hanshi
Member of Martial Arts USA and on the Yudo/Judo Advisory Board
Member of Korean SimMuDo Association with Ranks recognized by the Government of South Korea SimMuDo Association
