Obituary: Graham Turner

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Graham Turner, 7th Dan, on 9th March.

Graham began his Judo journey in his mid-thirties at Tonbridge Judo Club in Kent. His path as a referee started after witnessing what he felt was an unfair decision at one of his son’s local competitions. When challenged with, “If you think you can do better, become a referee,” Graham took it to heart.

Driven by a passion for fairness and the sport, he quickly advanced to become a National Referee. His dedication and sharp eye for contest assessment earned him the prestigious EJU Referee qualification in 1985 and the IJF A (International) Referee license in 1992. Over the years, Graham officiated at numerous World Championships and European events. Although selected to referee at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, an unfortunate accident prevented him from attending.

Beyond refereeing, Graham was a valued member of the Sussex and Southern Area committees and served on the National Refereeing Commission until 2000. He was a Senior Examiner for many years and concluded his tenure on the Area Committee as Director of Senior Examiners.

Graham was known for his straight-talking approach and deep commitment to the advancement of Judo. He mentored and inspired countless judoka to pursue higher levels of refereeing and promotion.

Among his proudest accomplishments was serving as British Judo Squad Manager at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Graham was awarded his 7th Dan by Colin McIver in 2016.

A private cremation will be held to mark Graham’s passing.