8th Dan Judo

Patron, Bushido Budo Kai

Sensei Bill Burnside was born in Karachi in India in 1930, where his parents were serving in the Royal Horse Artillery. He began his fighting career in the army with Goshin Jitsu. He attained the army rank of Captain, serving in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Germany. 

He began judo training with the BJC under Sensei J. Chambers and trained with people such as Senseis M O Tani, K Abbe Docho and spent many weekends with Tomio Otani, studying Kendo, Aikido and Ju-Jitsu.

Sensei Burnside started teaching full time in 1965, seven days a week for 40 years. At the top of his profession he was teaching 2000 pupils a week. His biggest club was the Bulmershe Centre, with 400 pupils a week and year’s waiting list. He has taught in Australia, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Spain and France and trained 250 pupils from novice to Dan grade.