From Abbe’s Mat to the Ki Federation: Kenneth Williams, 1931–2026

Kenneth Williams, founder of the Ki Federation of Great Britain, died on November 3, 2026, at the age of 95.

Born in London in 1931, Williams began training with Kenshiro Abbe in 1955, the year Abbe brought aikido to Britain, and was one of his first students. Abbe awarded him 1st dan in 1959, and in 1961 Williams was appointed National Coach of the British Aikido Council. As Abbe brought Japanese teachers to the UK, Williams trained with Tadashi Abe, Masamichi Noro, Nobuyoshi Tamura and Koichi Tohei, among others.

After Abbe returned to Japan, Williams continued teaching on his own, then traveled to Japan to meet Tohei. On his return he founded the Ki Federation of Great Britain, and in later years developed his own approach to applying aikido’s principles to daily life. His students went on to open dojos across the UK and in France, Russia, Canada, the Netherlands and Australia.

Our thanks to Gerald Lopez, who shared the news and the photograph above, taken in 1984.

Memorial information: Ki Federation of Great Britain
Further reading: History of Aikido in United Kingdom