Chris promoted to 7th Dan Judo, A.E.J.F.

Top, Certificate of Grade

2nd, Bruce Carnaby 6th Dan, Jack Hearn 9th Dan, Joe Norman 7th Dan, Eddy Kenny 6th Dan, Joyce Kenny 5th Dan, Chris Dawson 7th Dan, Juneille Smith 6th Dan, John Hall 4th Dan, Malcolm Young 4th Dan and Mick Clark 1st Dan.

3rd, Joyce and Eddy Kenny presenting a framed picture of a Samurai.

4th, Joe Norman Founder and President of the All England Judo Federation with Chris Dawson.

5th, Bushido Judo Kwai Girls Team.

6th, Bushido Judo Kwai Boys Team.

16th September 2011 started as a normal Friday night training session, our students started arriving at 6.00pm for a 6.30 start. Unusually we had an almost 100% turn out, with the usual amount of parents who stay for the full session. We then found an influx of parents arriving, who normally just drop their children and go. The class began at 6.30 prompt with the salutations and warm up exercises, at this point instructor Bruce Carnaby asked me to stop the class and line everyone up, I had no idea what was going on, but did what he requested. To my total surprise Mick Clark -1st Dan, Malcolm Young - 4th Dan, John Hall - 4th Dan, Juneille Smith - 6th Dan, Joyce Kenny - 5th Dan, Eddy Kenny - 6th Dan, Joe Norman - 7th Dan and Jack Hearn - 9th Dan all filed into the dojo and formed a line at the side of the mat. Sensei Jack Hearn began explaining that I was to be promoted to the grade of 7th Dan by the All England Judo Federation. I would like to thank all those people who sent letters of support for this promotion, in particular Joe Norman - founder and President of the All England Judo Federation, who had travelled from his home in Essex to be at the presentation of my certificate. Also to Maureen and Bruce Carnaby, who did so much preparation to make this evening the huge success that it was, who also supplied all of the food and drink at their own expense, to Juneielle Smith who was responsible for compiling all of the letters of support and the organisation of the guests, to John at the Wallsend Boy's Club for all of his kind cooperation. I would like to thank the parents for their cards and gifts, Joyce and Eddy Kenny for the beautiful framed picture of a Samurai and Jack Hearn for the certificate, and last but not least our students, whose behaviour was impeccable, they also enjoyed their own party (away from the alcohol), some not even wanting to go home when the party ended.
Photos by Maureen Carnaby.

The I.M.A.F Masters Course 2002

Photo L/R, Russell Dawson, Jack Hearn, Mitsuhiro Kondo 8th Dan, Shizuya Sato 10th Dan, Chris Dawson and Mala Young.

In September 2002, four judoka from The Hokojun Judo Club, Cramlington and the Bushido Judo Kwai, Wallsend, took part in the International Martial Arts Federation, World Budo Seminar, Scarborough, England, held under the direction of Prof.Shizuya Sato 10th Dan, and other masters.

Bushido Judo Kwai Success at I.B.F Championship in Dumfries

Top Photo taken by John Sayers.
Lower Photo taken by Louise Cairns.
L/R, Jessica Cairns, Callum McInnes, Chris Sayers.

L/R, Bruce Carnaby Instructor, Callum McInnes, Chris Sayers, Jessica Cairns, Chris Dawson Instructor.

Three junior members from Wallsend's Bushido Judo Kwai had a very successful day, at the International Budo Federation 2011 Scottish Open in Dumfries, Scotland today.
Jessica Cairns age 10, won gold in the girls under 45 kilo event, while Callum McInnes age 9 and Chris Sayers age 11 won gold and silver respectively, in the boys under 35 kilo event.
This is our clubs third visit to this excellent championship, our thanks to Robin Hyslop for his invitation.

Happy 18th Birthday, Laurie !

Senior Bushido Judo Kwai member Laurie, celebrated her 18th birthday on Saturday 9th July, at a great party at her home and judging by the photo, Laurie enjoyed it too.

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.