W.S.Wood Sensei

1949 Joined the London School of Judo. (The first evening institute to teach Judo for the London County Council). Promoted to 2nd kyu 10 months later by G.Koizumi.(main instructor G.Gleeson). 1951 Judo instuctor to the Lewisham Mens Institute. 1954 Promoted to 1st dan at the L.J.S and won championships. 1955 Became "special pupil" of Master Kenshiro Abbe upon his arrival to the U.K.. Promoted to 2nd Dan. 1956 Appointed Chief Instructor to the Abbe Judo School. Promoted to 3rd Dan. 1958 One of the founder members of the B.J.C. 1961 First Kendo Champion of the B.J.C. First Kendo Dan grade. 1962 Became the 5th Hon.Sec. of the B.J.C (membership just under 3000). 1963 Appointed full time Gen.Sec. of the B.J.C(membership over 7500) Organized the famous Royal Albert Hall Display featuring:-K.Abbe 8th Dan H.Michigami 7th Dan. M.Nakazono 7th Dan Aikido. M Noro 6th Dan Aikido. M.Harada 5th Dan Karate. M.Fukuda 5th Dan B.J.C, Rep to the Federation of B.J.O. 1964 B.J.C Rep to the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Judo Team selections. Membership of the B.J.C over 13000. 1965 Appointed national coach & technical adviser to the B.J.C (M.A.C) after the B.J.C was reformed. 1968 Organised the (then) largest ever junior Judo tournament at Oxford town hall,with over 850 juniors competing. 1969 Promoted to 4th Dan BJC. 1972 Promoted to 5th Dan BJC. 1974 Became a pupil of Haku Michigami 9th Dan. 1976 Promoted to 6th Dan BJC. 1985 Appointed to British Rep by thAcademeie De Judo Michigami(France). 1991 Promoted to 7 th Dan.(B.J.C) Founded the Busen of Martial Arts,Sports & Movement with Mr C.Heywood. Appointed British Rep by the European Judo Teachers Union.(UnioEuropeanne DeSyndicatests De Professeurs De Judo). 1993 Founder member of the British Judo & Budo Federation. 1994 Joined I.M.A.F.(Kokusai Budoin)Japan. 1996 Assisted Mr Sato(9th Dan)by teaching Judo in Italy at an I.M.A.F seminar. 1997 Awarded the title "Kyoshi" by I.M.A.F Japan. 1998 Assisted Mr Sato (9th Dan) by teaching Judo at an I.M.A.F seminar.Has attended the Bordeaux International Judo Course since 1974 with Mr Michigami 9th Dan. Also holds grades in Kendo, Akido & Karate since 1961. 50 years study of Judo. 1999 Promoted to 8th Dan by IMAF. 2006 Died on 31st March.