Club founder and President Mick Leigh receives his 9th Dan
Michael Leigh, 89 from Crawley has lived in the town since 1965 and over the subsequent decades he has taught Judo to thousands of children and adults in and around Crawley, some of whom have gone on to represent their Country. Michael founded Kin Ryu Judo Club in 1976 and handed the club over some years ago to coaches he had taught from novice up to black belt. The club still thrives at K2 and Michael is their President. He is also President of Judo’s Southern Area (Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and the Channel Islands) and a Vice President of British Judo. This month Michael will have two important milestones to celebrate. On May 25, he will be 90 years old and he has just received the news that the International Judo Federation has awarded him his 9th Dan. Only five other Brits hold this incredibly high grade, given to an individual who meets many criteria following a lifetime of devotion and excellence in the sport. The holder of a 9th Dan wears a plain red belt. Michael wa