FORMER world kickboxing champion and North Wales fighter Russ Williams is exporting his skills to the former Soviet bloc. Russ, who runs his own Thai and Kickboxing Centre in Caerwys, near Holywell, is just back from Ukraine. He helped to train students who will set up Thai boxing for fitness classes in their own areas. Russ said: "Normally I go abroad every year with my fighters but last year there were no competitions on and I was looking for somewhere to go on holiday. "I'm not one for sitting on a beach and doing nothing and when I was thinking about where to go I thought about the old Soviet bloc," he said.. He was so impressed with the friendliness of the people in Ukraine, this was his fourth visit. Russ, who went to a few gyms and laid on classes, found the interest overwhelming. "It's a poor country and there's no money in it for me, but the people are so warm and welcoming it's really nice to see them enjoying the kickboxing," said Russ. | 
