Ronnie Watt
Scottish martial artist (born 1947)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ronald Stewart Watt OBE (born 16 April 1947), is a Scottish grandmaster of Shotokan karate.
| Ronnie Watt | |
|---|---|
Watt in 2010 | |
| Born | Ronald Stewart Watt 16 April 1947 Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Other names | Ronnie Watt |
| Style | Shotokan Karate |
| Rank | 10th Dan Meijin |
A World Karate Confederation (WKC) director of Shotokan since 2003,[1] Watt is the founding president and chief instructor for the National Karate Institute Scotland.
Biography
Born and educated in Aberdeen,[2] Watt was training as an engineer until 1965 when a life-changing industrial accident forced a career rethink.[2]
Oddjob[3] a character in the James Bond film Goldfinger provided his initial inspiration, since when Watt established "Shotokan Karate Club"[4] before pursuing further studies in Japan, then becoming Scottish team captain (1975–78).[5]
Having introduced thousands of Scots to karate,[6] since 2024 Watt is accorded the style of 10th Dan.
Karate rankings
Watt has been bestowed karate Dan ranking as follows:
- 1st - 1969;
- 2nd - 1972;
- 3rd - 1976;
- 4th - 1981;
- 5th - 1986;
- 6th - 1994;
- 7th - 1997;
- 8th - 2005;[7]
- 9th - 2015;[8]
- 10th - 2024.[9]
Order of the Scottish Samurai
In 1994, the Order of the Scottish Samurai (OSS), an "awarding body recognising excellence, character and respect in alignment with the ancient spirit of budō", was established by Watt.[10]
Honours and awards
Throughout his career in karate, Watt has received various honours, including:
Honours
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (2011) "for services to karate"[11]
Member of the Order of St John (2020)[12]
Order of the Rising Sun with Gold and Silver Rays (5th Cl. Japan) (2010);[13]
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Distinctions
- Trnava Self-Governing Region (TSGR) Commemorative Medal (Slovakia) (2014)[14]
- Knight of the Order of the Holy Trinity (Ethiopia) (2015)[15]
- Comendador da Casa Real Portuguesa (2015);[16]
Awards
- Fellow of the International Shotokan-Ryu Karate-Do Shihankai (2006)[17]
- European Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2015)[18]
- Hon. MUniv, Aberdeen (2019)[19]
- 10th Dan Meijin Ryu Karate-Do (2024).
Arms
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