Photo taken by Gloria Syrett, at a McDonalds in Central London 2nd October 1981.
On the 3rd October 1981, nine junior members of the Bushido Judo Kwai and one member from Seghill Judo Club, competed at the British Judo Council (MAC) Eastern Region Open Judo Championships at the Chafford Sports Centre, Rainham, Essex. Our squad were, Thomas Syrett, David Stringfellow, Alan Gourves, Sharon Holman, Samantha Dodds, Michelle Wafer, Michael Stoker, Joanne Batey, Barry McSherry and Susan Campbell we won three gold and four silver medals with David also winning a gold for Seghill Judo Club.
Photo, W.S Wood 6th Dan Examiner BJC (MAC), congratulating Linda on her promotion to Shodan.
Since the formation of the Bushido Judo Kwai in 1976, we have only had three of our females promoted to Shodan, Linda Dawson was the first. Linda started her judo career in March 1976 at Marine Park Judo Club in Wallsend and won her first medal, a silver at the British Judo Council (MAC) Northern Open Championships, In May of that year she was a founder member of the Bushido Judo Kwai, two of her biggest competition successes came at the British Judo Council (MAC) National Championships at Alexandria Palace, London on the 16th October 1976 when she won a bronze medal in the ladies under u60k event and a silver medal in the ladies u61k event, at the International Budo Federation Championships in Frankfurt West Germany on the 29th October 1977. In July 1979 Linda then 1st kyu, was in the squad who attended the 21st Stage International De Judo De Bordeaux, in France under the direction of Michigami Shihan 9th Dan.
In December 1979 Linda successfully completed her grading, consisting of contest and kata and was promoted to Black Belt 1st Dan.
