Liam wins a Bronze

Liam Banks age 10, took the bronze medal in the boys under 50k event at the Westgate Judo Club, Graded Tounament, Newcastle upon Tyne on Sunday 12th June, unfortunately Jessica Cairns also 10, didnt make it into the medals, Callum McInnes age 9, was taken to hospital with a shoulder injury but fortunately didnt have any breaks.

John Gallon 5th Dan (Kodokan)

Photo courtesy of Mr Gerrard Gyngall.
John Gallon is third from left, and he is from the North East and not the Midlands as stated.

In 1975 i began to train at the Gateshead dojo of John Gallon 5th Dan (Kodokan), it was hard training but well worth it with a sensei of his standard.
John trained at the Kodokan Japan for five years and practised regularly with Takeuchi Sensei, Inokuma Sensei and Okano Sensei and also at Takudai University under Kimura Sensei, thirteen times all Japan Champion.
I ceased training with John when i founded the Bushido Judo Kwai, and had to put all of my time into that.

The Bushido Judo Kwai Bus !

Top Photo, At the Hotel Prince 66 Ave Bosquet, Paris, July 1982.
Lower Photo, Our newly purchased mini bus on my drive.

In 1982 the club purchased a Ford Transit Mini Bus reg KWB 966J, the main reason for this, was to take us to the judo course in Bordeaux, we paid £450.00 for it and as it happened, it took us to Bordeaux three times, as well as a number of judo events in London, Birmingham and Norwich.