ABOUT US

 

Lee Mountain      Iaido 5th Dan      Jodo 2nd Dan      Club and Regional Coach      Qualified First Aider      Registered Instructor

I started in martial arts when I was about 10 years old and like most others it was Judo that was my first experience, which I learned in the Railway Institute, York. From there, I moved on to studying Ju Jitsu, in which I eventually graded to Ikkyu (brown belt).  Have also done some Aikido during my brief stay in Newcastle.

I have been at the Budokan club for about 12 years and found it quite by accident (long story for another time) and whilst I study kendo as well as Iaido and Jodo, it is the latter two that I really concentrate my practice on.

I am one of the 'High Grades' in Iaido and Jodo for Budokan Dojo but also am the Dojo Leader for both these disciplines. I have been selected for the UK Iaido team on three occasions – 2004 (Stockholm), 2007 (Paris) & 2008 (Switzerland); although did take Gold at the 2009 Masamune Taikai, Yondan section and got silver at the inaugural Ishido Cup; Yondan at Brighton 2009.

I have now achieved my Godan in Iaido and am looking towards gaining both my Sandan for Jodo and Rokudan for Iaido

For me Iaido, Jodo and kendo should be done properly but with fun - they are serious Martial Arts not miserable ones.

 

Phil Henderson      Iaido 4th Dan      Jodo 1st Dan      Qualified Coach      Qualified First Aider      Registered Instructor

Minimal Martial Arts experience before starting Iaido and Jodo, other than some self defence through work.. started Iaido after hitting my mid life crisis and have never regretted my decision. Having spent March/April 2009 touring and training in Japan, this has now paid off having successfully achieved my 4th Dan in November 2009. Since then I have building on my Koryu knowledge and consolidating my Seitei. I won a bronze medal and Fighting spirit award at the 2010 National Championships.....Yondan section. More recently in March 2011, I completed the final stage of the grading panel mentoring scheme. I am now looking towards another 3 years hard work before going for Godan !
 

 

Jon Meikle.      Iaido 3rd  dan.      Kenjutsu 5th dan.      Kyudo 1st dan.      Qualified Coach      Registered Instructor

Started Martial Arts around 20 years ago studying Kickboxing, Ju jutsu and Karate as a student (not to any great degree). Later decided to concentrate on traditional Japanese sword arts. I have just gained the rank of 3rd dan Iaido so now need to work hard towards my 4th dan iaido, three years is not a long time!

After a good year in Tai Kai events, silver at 2011 National Championships and finalist in Summer 2011 Koryu Tai Kai, I have been offered a place on the British squad at Sandan level. Now working hard to compete in Europe, Andorra 2011.

 

Jack James.      Iaido 3rd  dan.

My first experience of Budo was at a young age, with my Grandad being a Judo teacher. He eventually moved on to Aikido so I naturally wanted to practice this with him also.
I tried my hand at a number of different arts over the years, Karate and Kung Fu and alike but found my "rock" with Iaido. I had been searching for an Iaido club for a long time but never found anywhere local.
Until one day a websearch come up with the Budokan and I've never looked back since.
 
I am currently in my final year of study of Chinese and Japanese language and culture at university, with hopes of translation work after.
 
After just passing my third dan and finally achieving a gold medal in the Taikai after a couple of bronzes in the past, I now am working hard towards fourth dan, and getting my level 2 coaching qualification to give more back to the club that has given so much to me over the years.
 

Phil Burbury      Iaido 2nd  dan.

 

 

Malcolm Blackwood.      Iaido 2nd dan.      Judo 1st dan.      Aikido 4th dan.      Qualified Coach

Started and continued with martial arts over forty years ago. Coached and competed in Judo originally before moving to Aikido. Now a qualified coach and Fukushidoin in Aikido. Reasonable good at the Tango and a Real Ale aficionado.

 

Jonathon McCue.      Iaido 2nd dan.      Wado ryu Karate 1st dan.

Spent may happy years training in traditional wado ryu Karate in Newcastle. Have also trained in judo, kendo and jujitsu.

Began training in the more sedate Iaido in August 2008, I enjoy the calm atmosphere of the sessions and the attention to detail. Always looking to opportunities to test my technique on a 'live' target. Now where's Tracy? (only joking!!!).

 

Owen Wilson.      Iaido 2nd dan.

Iaido is my first martial art. I played a lot of rugby when I was younger and although I always wanted to try a martial art, the right time and opportunity never presented itself. Several years after I retired from rugby I decided that now was the time to finally try to find a martial art to practice, and after an internet search I discovered Iaido (I honestly had no idea there were so many different Arts) and Budokan Dojo. A quick telephone call (and some decidedly dodgy directions) later and here I am.

Danni Jorgenson.      Iaido 2nd  dan.

 

Tracy Foster.      Iaido 1st  dan.      Wado Kai Karate  5th dan      Qualified Coach

Andy Gardner.      Iaido 1st  dan.

 

Kim Ralls.      Iaido 1st  dan.

I come from Norwich originally (someone has to) and have always wanted to learn a martial art, though never found the opportunity. After reading about Kendo on the internet, I thought I’d try and find somewhere local. Discovered Budokan quite by accident and eventually plucked up the courage to turn up for a training session. They’d stopped doing Kendo, but I was swiftly handed a bokuto and began learning Iaido – something I’d never heard of. Sufficed to say, I was instantly hooked and haven’t looked back since, especially now I’ve graduated to the stage where I can perform most of the kneeling forms without falling on my backside.

Eddie Hodgson      Iaido 1st  dan.     Aikido 4th dan     Qualified Coach

I started in martial arts in the mid 1960s with a little judo but within weeks I switched to aikido as soon as there was space in the class. I am now 4^th dan and fukushidoin with the Aikikai, and I’m also a qualified coach.

When I am not practising iaido much of my “spare” time is taken up playing classical guitar.

Phil Johnson      Iaido 1st  dan.     Aikido 1st dan     Qualified Coach

Started martial arts late in life, gained 1st dan in Aikido and I'm also a qualified coach. Ran my own class for a number of years, then a friend told me about Iaido and the Budokan. I have now gained my 1st dan and currently training for 2nd dan. Pleased with what I have achieved considering I have knee problems. (Just shows you you are never too late to learn).

Mark Ralston      Iaido 1st  dan.     Aikido 1st dan     Qualified Coach

I was introduced to Aikido when I was 20 years old, by my future wife Jill. I trained with Sensei Tom Pickering (Aikiki) for 4 years.  I settled into married life and once the children got to teenagers, she took them to an Aikido class in Sunderland. I went along for encouragement and thought I can do this again. After being asked if I would like to join in (I only got as far as the warm ups) I spent the rest of the day in bed with exhaustion.  However, I went back for more...13 years to be precise. After reaching 1st DAN, I opened my own club. After visiting an Aikido class in Stockton, I got interested in learning more about the sword. I made some enquiries and was put in touch with Budokan...and I have never looked back!

Sophie Ralston      Iaido 1st  dan.

My interest in martial arts came from my childhood when I began an unhealthy obsession with 'The Karate Kid' - wax on wax off - this involved me wearing a spider headband!
By my teenage years I studied Aikido for 4 years, leaving to do my degree leading to a job in social services. After observing my dad doing iai in the garden, I thought I would give it a try...so here I am...gaining a few nick names along the way! :)