Award success for ‘Judo John’ of Goole

Raymond John Burkill, from Goole, aka ‘Judo John’, has achieved national success in the sport.

At the recent Yorkshire and Humber squad training and Dan grading at East Riding Leisure Goole, John was awarded his sixth Dan in Judo.

The Dan Grades system is a feature of judo with promotion to different ranks based on a variety of different pathways and achievements. Obtaining a Dan Grade is one of the highest qualifications available to people involved in the sport.

John, who works at the Leisure Centre, is one of only a few people in the UK to be awarded a sixth Dan in Judo. He started Judo at Goole Judo club in 1965 at the age of eight and then went on to be a coach, teaching Judo at East Riding Leisure Goole ever since the facility opened in 1981.

When receiving the award, John said: “I am honoured to receive a sixth Dan in this sport that I love.  I have loved every minute, even with broken bones and replacement knees – there is no better sport for all ages to take part in.

“I would like to give a big thank you to all those that came today and to Kim Savage for organising it all. I’d encourage anyone interested to give Judo a try.”

Goole Judo is open on Friday evenings from 6pm at East Riding Leisure Goole.

For more details, visit www.eastridingleisure.co.uk