David Johnston has been practicing judo for over 20 years and has been teaching Judo for 10 years. David has been coaching in local schools in Farnborough, Yateley, Sandhurst, Farnham, Ash and as far out as Bordon and Dorking.

He is a 1st Dan Blackbelt and qualified BJA Club Coach.
Before retiring from competitive Judo in 2003 through injury, he went on to become one of the best Judo players in Great Britain.

In his early teens he achieved 1st places at club and county level tournaments around the British Isles and also Gold medals fighting abroad with Pinewood Judo Club. In his late teens in 1996 he got selected for the Great Britain Squad and won his first Junior National Title in 1997.

He then moved into senior Judo and followed on his winning streak by taking the Senior National Title in 1999. David ended 1999 at the top of the senior British Rankings at Under 60kgs.
He continued his Judo results into the new millennium but unfortunately was only reserve for the Sydney 2000 Olympics as only 1 place per weight per country was allocated and this had already gone to John Buchanan for his World Championships result the year before.

Putting this disappointment aside he still had his best results to date in 2000 and 2001 with European and Olympic Qualifying Ranking Points gained through Bronzes at the Belgium and British 'B' Events and his best result ever at the highly respected Dutch 'A' tournament in Rotterdam with a 3rd place.

Now concentrating all his efforts on School Judo, he also organises Judo Camps through the school holidays which prove to be a huge hit with his students and a great success.

Recently David has revived his love for the sport and begun competing again. Now in his 30's he is entering Veteran or what is now known as 'Masters' events. He also competes in various Open tournaments as practice towards the Major 'Masters' events such as the European Masters and the World Masters Championships. After many successes in events around the Uk David entered the World Masters Championships in June of 2008 held in Belgium. He won a Bronze medal and can proudly state that he is 3rd in the World at Masters Judo!!

Anyone wishing to start Judo in one of his Schools or on the Wednesday daytime Adult session, which is open to anyone, can do so by e-mailing David or contacting him by phone.  07765 247960 or fill out the form on the contacts page

David Johnston Awards and Acheivements

Junior British National Champion 1997
Great Britain and Olympic Squad 1996 - 2002
Senior British Closed Champion 1999
GB Ranked No 1 - 2000
Belgium Open 'B' Tournament Bronze - 2000 (GB)
British Open 'B' Tournament Bronze - 2000 (GB)
Dutch 'A' Tournament Bronze - 2001 (GB)
World Masters Championship Bronze - 2008
'A' denotes Olympic Ranking Points Qualifying Event
'B' denotes Non Olympic Event
(GB) = Squad Event
200+ Medals and Trophies
7 National Medals
Runnymeade Sports Personality Award 1992
Surrey County Council Sports Grant 1992
Hampshire County Council Sports Bursary 1995    
1st Dan Blackbelt 1995
BJA Club Coach Award
First Aider
CRB Enhanced Disclosure

Pictures of David Johnston in his youth.