Charles Stuart William Palmer
Encyclopedia
Charles Stuart William Palmer (born in Ealing
, West London; 15 April 1930–17 August 2001), OBE
was a martial artist. Palmer was a Judo Instructor, President of the Budokwai
, President of the British Judo Association (1961–1985), President of the International Judo Federation (1965–1979) and Chairman of the British Olympic Association
(1983–1988). Palmer was a judoka who attained the sport's highest rank of 10th dan
black belt.
. He joined Ealing Judo Club by claiming that he was 16 years old. In 1948, under the teachings of Gunji Koizumi
and Trevor Leggett
of the Budokwai
, he was awarded the grade of 1st dan black belt.
At age 18, Palmer was called up for National Service
where served with the Royal Military Police
teaching judo. While serving in the military, he was given special leave to compete for the United Kingdom in his first International tournament in Holland. On completion of his National Service he gained his 2nd dan at the Budokwai.
In 1951 Palmer went to Japan to further his judo studies. With a job as security guard at the British Embassy in Tokyo
he was able to further his judo studies as a special student (kenshusei) at the Kodokan
Judo Institute where he was awarded 3rd dan in 1953 and 4th dan in 1955.
On his return from Japan, Charles Palmer and fellow 4th dan, Geof Gleeson
, joined Gunji Koizumi
and T.P. Leggett as Senior Instructor at the Budokwai. He won a place in the British judo team in the 1957 European Championships. With Gleeson as captain in 1955 - 1958, this team won the championship for three years in succession.
As a Judo competitor, he was a formidable opponent. He had a short, powerful build, weighing some 225 lb for a height of 5 ft 8½ in. Opponents remembered him as 'an irresistible tank on two legs'. He was difficult to shift off balance, and his speciality was a devastating inner thigh throw (Uchi Mata
).
(BJA).
At the 1965 International Judo Federation (IJF) Congress held in Rio de Janeiro
Palmer was elected President succeeding Risei Kano the grandson of the founder of judo, Kano Jigoro
. He was the first non-Japanese to be the President of the IJF.
He persuaded the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) to give Judo regular place on the Games program from 1972. In 1973 Palmer was presented with the OBE (Order of the British Empire
) for his services to international judo. In 1975 he became a founding member of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and for the next twelve years was General Secretary of that organisation.
In 1983 Charles Palmer was successful in an election for the post of Chairman of the British Olympic Association
(BOA). During his period of office had to contend with much political wrangling and was influential in the decision for the BOA to send a team to attend the 1980 Summer Olympics
in Moscow
.
He received an honourary 10th dan in 1997 from the IJF
, becoming one of the few living jūdan
.
. In later years he drove his Rolls-Royce to European countries because he preferred its comfort to flying, although he was a qualified pilot. He was a fine card player and owned two gambling casinos, as well as restaurants. As recreations, he had been a drummer in a jazz band and was an expert skier. He was an accomplished linguist, speaking French, Japanese, German and Spanish. Despite having many female admirers, he never married.
In the 1990s his health began to fail, but he continued to attend and preside over BJA Annual General Meetings. He was taken to hospital on 16 August 2001 where he died the next day at the age of 71.
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
, West London; 15 April 1930–17 August 2001), OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
was a martial artist. Palmer was a Judo Instructor, President of the Budokwai
Budokwai
is the oldest Japanese martial arts club in Europe. It was founded in 1918 by Gunji Koizumi and initially offered tuition in jujutsu, kendo, and other Japanese arts. It was the first Judo club in Europe with membership open to the general public.-History:...
, President of the British Judo Association (1961–1985), President of the International Judo Federation (1965–1979) and Chairman of the British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
(1983–1988). Palmer was a judoka who attained the sport's highest rank of 10th dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
black belt.
Sports career
Charles Palmer first took an interest in judo at the age of 14 while attending Drayton Manor High SchoolDrayton Manor High School
Drayton Manor High School, formerly Drayton Manor Grammar School, is a comprehensive school located in Hanwell, Ealing, England. The current headteacher is Sir Pritpal Singh. The school is a specialist Humanities College. Its emblem is a phoenix rising from a crown with the legend 'Nec Aspera...
. He joined Ealing Judo Club by claiming that he was 16 years old. In 1948, under the teachings of Gunji Koizumi
Gunji Koizumi
, known affectionately by colleagues as G.K., was a Japanese master of judo who introduced this martial art to the United Kingdom, and came to be known as the 'Father of British Judo.' He was the founder of the Budokwai, a pioneering Japanese martial arts society in England. Koizumi helped...
and Trevor Leggett
Trevor Leggett
Trevor Pryce Leggett was a British judo teacher, author, translator, and head of the BBC's Japanese Service for 24 years. He was one of the very first Europeans to study martial arts in Japan. Leggett served in the Ministry of Information during World War II...
of the Budokwai
Budokwai
is the oldest Japanese martial arts club in Europe. It was founded in 1918 by Gunji Koizumi and initially offered tuition in jujutsu, kendo, and other Japanese arts. It was the first Judo club in Europe with membership open to the general public.-History:...
, he was awarded the grade of 1st dan black belt.
At age 18, Palmer was called up for National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
where served with the Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
teaching judo. While serving in the military, he was given special leave to compete for the United Kingdom in his first International tournament in Holland. On completion of his National Service he gained his 2nd dan at the Budokwai.
In 1951 Palmer went to Japan to further his judo studies. With a job as security guard at the British Embassy in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
he was able to further his judo studies as a special student (kenshusei) at the Kodokan
Kodokan
, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...
Judo Institute where he was awarded 3rd dan in 1953 and 4th dan in 1955.
On his return from Japan, Charles Palmer and fellow 4th dan, Geof Gleeson
Geof Gleeson
Geof Gleeson was a historical judo figure.Teacher: Trevor Leggett. Went to Japan 1952-5. Studied most matial arts, Judo, Kendo, Akido, Bōjutsu, Jujitsu, Karate....
, joined Gunji Koizumi
Gunji Koizumi
, known affectionately by colleagues as G.K., was a Japanese master of judo who introduced this martial art to the United Kingdom, and came to be known as the 'Father of British Judo.' He was the founder of the Budokwai, a pioneering Japanese martial arts society in England. Koizumi helped...
and T.P. Leggett as Senior Instructor at the Budokwai. He won a place in the British judo team in the 1957 European Championships. With Gleeson as captain in 1955 - 1958, this team won the championship for three years in succession.
As a Judo competitor, he was a formidable opponent. He had a short, powerful build, weighing some 225 lb for a height of 5 ft 8½ in. Opponents remembered him as 'an irresistible tank on two legs'. He was difficult to shift off balance, and his speciality was a devastating inner thigh throw (Uchi Mata
Uchi Mata
is one of the original 40 throws of Judo as developed by Jigoro Kano.It belongs to the second group, Dai Nikyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo , of Kodokan Judo.It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo....
).
Later career
Palmer then retired from major competition and concentrated on Judo and sports administration. In 1961 Palmer became Chairman of the British Judo Association, a post he held for the next twenty-four years. During this time, Palmer was also elected President of the British Judo AssociationBritish Judo Association
The British Judo Association is the governing body for the Olympic Sport of Judo in the United Kingdom.The BJA represents the United Kingdom internationally and is a member of the International Judo Federation, the European Judo Union, the Judo Confederation of the European Union, the British...
(BJA).
At the 1965 International Judo Federation (IJF) Congress held in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
Palmer was elected President succeeding Risei Kano the grandson of the founder of judo, Kano Jigoro
Kano Jigoro
was the founder of judo. Judo was the first Japanese martial art to gain widespread international recognition, and the first to become an official Olympic sport. Pedagogical innovations attributed to Kanō include the use of black and white belts, and the introduction of dan ranking to show the...
. He was the first non-Japanese to be the President of the IJF.
He persuaded the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC) to give Judo regular place on the Games program from 1972. In 1973 Palmer was presented with the OBE (Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
) for his services to international judo. In 1975 he became a founding member of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and for the next twelve years was General Secretary of that organisation.
In 1983 Charles Palmer was successful in an election for the post of Chairman of the British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
(BOA). During his period of office had to contend with much political wrangling and was influential in the decision for the BOA to send a team to attend the 1980 Summer Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
.
He received an honourary 10th dan in 1997 from the IJF
International Judo Federation
The International Judo Federation was founded in July 1951. The IJF was originally composed of judo federations from Europe plus Argentina. Countries from four continents were affiliated over the next ten years. Today the IJF has 200 National Federations on all continents...
, becoming one of the few living jūdan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
.
Personal life
Palmer had a flamboyant personality with a somewhat overbearing and confrontational manner that earned him many enemies. For many years he smoked expensive cigars. When he came back from Japan, he drove around Kensington in a Jaguar SS100Jaguar SS100
The SS100 is a British 2-seat sports car built between 1936 and 1940 by SS Cars Ltd of Coventry, England. The last one is thought to have been delivered in 1941. In 1936 the name Jaguar was given to a new saloon car and from then on to all the cars...
. In later years he drove his Rolls-Royce to European countries because he preferred its comfort to flying, although he was a qualified pilot. He was a fine card player and owned two gambling casinos, as well as restaurants. As recreations, he had been a drummer in a jazz band and was an expert skier. He was an accomplished linguist, speaking French, Japanese, German and Spanish. Despite having many female admirers, he never married.
In the 1990s his health began to fail, but he continued to attend and preside over BJA Annual General Meetings. He was taken to hospital on 16 August 2001 where he died the next day at the age of 71.