
HIGH DANS
To achieve a high dan rank in Judo takes decades of commitment to the lifestyle and sport of Judo.
Judo Ontario would like to recognize the Judoka’s listed below for their long-term outstanding effort and dedication.
Judoka with a cherry blossom beside their name are now studying with Professor Kano.
8th
2021



Hatashita, Frank (Minoru)
Nakahara, Genichiro (Gene)
Takahashi, Masao
Uemura, Goki
Doherty, William
Vignale, Duncan
Kawasaki, Mitchell
7th


Erdman, Wayne
Takahashi, Phillip
Doherty, Kevin
Varga, Robert
Zettl, Bob
Kendrick, James
Sadej, Andrzej
Sheffield, Steven
Weldon, Craig
Kamino, Toky
Takahashi, June
Angus, Ron
Formosa, Charlie
6th






Fischer, Rainer
Markovic-Siladi, Mara
Haunsberger, Leo
Takahashi, Tina
Kamino, Tamino Tom
Walker, Samuel (Jim)
Doherty, Albert (James)
Miller, David
Muirhead, Ron
Henning, Harry
Jokic, Milo
Gosselin, Nathalie
Sheffield, Aartje
Desormeaux, Ronald
Hatashita, John
Kiang, David K
Doherty, Karl
Mitani, Lawrence
Vermeiren, Herman
Angus, Tracy
Hino, Tom
Orr Ribble, Kimberly
Walby, Tony
Zupancic, Edward
Hassani, Mohamad
Eiki (Sid) Kawano
Okimura, Gerald

OLYMPIANS & PARALYMPIANS
To become a successful Judoka with Judo Ontario is quite an achievement... but to become a successful Judoka at the Olympics, against competition from around the world requires a special honor.
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JESSICA KLIMKAIT
Tokyo 2020
Jessica became Ontario's first & Canada's second ever Senior World Champion in 2021 and made history by becoming Canada's first ever female judo olympic medalist, on her Olympic debut, in Tokyo 2020. She was also Canada's first ever World Cadet Champion in 2013 and has won 20+ International medals including the Pan Am Championships. Jessica topped the IJF Rankings, reaching #1 in 2020 and 2021.

SHADY EL NAHAS
Tokyo 2020
Shady made his Team Canada debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where he narrowly missed out on the podium, placing 5th. He has won multiple IJF Tour medals including two Pan American Championship titles in 2019 and 2020 and also placed 5th at the 2020 IJF World Championships in Budapest, 2020. He is currently ranked #2 on the IJF -100kg rankings. (11/21)

TONY WALBY
London 2012, Rio 2016
Tony was a member of the 2012-2016 Paralympic teams. In addition, Tony was a member of the able-bodied Canadian Judo team for 16 years with multiple medals at the Canadian Championships including winning gold at the 2008 Canadian Championships in the Heavyweight Category. He has worked closely with his Paralympic coach Tom Thompson.

KELITA STEVENS (ZUPANCIC)
London 2012, Rio 2016 (Qualified Tokyo 2020)
Kelita was a member of the 2012-16 Olympic Teams and qualified for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, before retiring from competitive judo. She had great success at international tournaments with 4 Pan American Titles and 25 medals in the IJF World Tour. In July 2013
she also ascended to No.1 in IJF -70kg World Rankings.

WILLIAM MORGAN
Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008
Bill traveled around the world training and competing in World and paralympic events. In addition, Bill has also competed in a number of able-bodied competitions. Bill worked closely with his coach Tom Thompson over several years and excelled in international competitions, allowing him to qualify for the Sydney, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

KIMBERLY ORR (RIBBLE)
Sydney 2000
Kimberly was one of Ontario's world-class athletes during the 1990s. She placed in a number of international competitions during her career and represented Canada with distinction. Kimberly is an NCCP certified level 3 coach and continues to coach at various national and international events.

NATHALIE GOSSELIN
Atlanta 1996
Nathalie was a former Canadian Champion and medalist at various international tournaments. Her career culminated in 1996 with a selection to the Canadian Olympic Team. Nathalie was a very passionate and skilled player who fought with a lot of heart. She currently heads up the ECLIPSE program for Judo Canada.

MICHELLE BUCKINGHAM
Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000
Michelle is Ontario's only female three-time Olympian. She was a mainstay on the National Team and lead a very strong women's team in the '90s. A very powerful competitor who managed a number of top 8 finishes at the world level. Michelle placed in a number of international competitions and was several times Canadian Champion.

ROMAN HATASHITA
Barcelona 1992
Roman was several times Canadian Champion and dominated his division for several years. Romans career came to fruition with a selection to the 1992 Olympic Team. Currently, he owns and operates Hatashita Enterprises, who has been a sponsor for Judo Ontario for some time now.

SANDRA GREAVES
Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992
Sandra was the first and only Canadian female athlete for Judo to qualify for the Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1988. Sandra was many times Canadian Champion and was a mainstay on the National Team for many years. She was a Pan American Games gold medalist as well as placing in a number of international tournaments. Sandra is a certified NCCP level 3 coach.

CRAIG WELDON
Seoul 1988
Craig was one of Canada's best athletes during the 1980s. He was a former Canadian Champion who was continually winning medals in international competition. Craig is a member of Who's Who in Canadian Sport. Craig also made time to pursue his university education at Concordia University. He is a level 3 NCCP certified coach who holds the rank of 7th dan.

GLEN BEAUCHAMP
Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988
Glenn competed in two Olympics and was very successful with a 5th place finish in Los Angeles in 1984. Glenn was many times Canadian Champion and did well on the international circuit. Glenn was a two time World University medalist. Glenn is a very successful businessman who owns and operates a number of companies in Toronto.

KEVIN DOHERTY
Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988
Kevin was a member of the 1984-88 Olympic Teams. His greatest achievement came with a bronze medal at the 1981 World Championships. Kevin placed in a number of World Class tournaments and was several times Canadian Champion. He has held various positions on the Judo Ontario and Judo Canada Board of Directors. Kevin holds the rank of 7th dan.

PHIL TAKAHASHI
Moscow 1980, Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988
Phil was a member of the 1980-84-88 Olympic Teams. His greatest achievement came with a bronze medal at the 1981 World Championships. He was many times Canadian Champion and placed in a number of World-class tournaments. Phil teaches a number of martial arts at the Takahashi Judo Club. Phil holds the rank of 7th dan.

RAINER FISCHER
Montreal 1976
Rainer was a member of the 1976 Olympic Team and Pan American Games champion in 1975. He was many times Canadian Champion and holds the rank of 6th dan. Rainer was also one of the first Ontario athletes to live and train at the National Training Centre in Montreal and opened the door for future Ontario athletes to move to the National Training Centre.

WAYNE ERDMAN
Montreal 1976
Wayne was a member of the 1976 Olympic Team. He is a certified Level 3 NCCP coach and a former National Coach. Wayne was a gold medalist at the 1975 Pan-American Games as well as multiple time Canadian Champion. He currently operates the Olympia Judo Club in Kitchener, ON. Wayne holds the rank of 7th dan and has also been a member of the Provincial Grading Board.


HALL OF FAME
Judo Ontario likes to recognize those individuals who have gone above and beyond, reaching new heights of achievement and dedication with the prestigious Judo Ontario Hall of Fame award.
This program was initiated in 1996 by the Judo Ontario board of directors to show the judo community the great people and work being done.
Aartje Sheffield
2020
Aartje Sheffield has contributed to judo in Ontario for over 30 years and holds the rank of Rokudan. She is a NCCP Level 3 certified coach, a member of the Judo Canada NCCP Committee and Board of Directors. Aartje has been a huge driving force of our association during her tenure at Judo Ontario, where she was instrumental in developing female engagement programs for our province.
Jim Walker
2015
Jim Walker has been involved and contributing to judo for over 5 decades and currently holds the rank of 6th dan. Jim was the Head Instructor of the Maple Leaf Dojo for over 30 years. In that time Jim produced 10 National level competitors, 30 plus National Championship medals and has developed over 30 black belts
Charlie Formosa
2015
Charlie Formosa started judo in 1962 and has reached the prestigious rank of Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt). Charlie founded the Formokan Judo Club in 1975 and has fostered junior, senior and veteran judo champions at every level. Charlie was also the original club coach for 2 time Olympian Glenn Beauchamp and more recently 3 time olympic qualified athlete Kelita Stevens (nee Zupancic).
Nathalie Gosselin
2008
Nathalie was a former Canadian Champion and medalist at various international tournaments.
Her career culminated in 1996 with a selection to the Canadian Olympic Team. Nathalie was a very passionate and skilled player who fought with a lot of heart. She currently heads up the ECLIPSE program for Judo Canada.
Craig Weldon
2008
Craig was one of Canada's best athletes during the 1980's. He was a former Canadian Champion who was continually winning medals in international competition. Craig is a member of Who's Who in Canadian Sport. Craig also made time to pursue his university education at Concordia University.
He is a level 3 NCCP certified coach who holds the rank of 7th dan.
Rainer Fischer
2000
Rainer was a member of the 1976 Olympic Team and Pan American Games champion in 1975. He was many times Canadian Champion and holds the rank of 6th dan. Rainer was also one of the first Ontario athletes to live and train at the National Training Centre in Montreal and opened the door for future Ontario athletes to move to the National Training Centre.
Sandra Greaves
2000
Sandra was the first and only Canadian female athlete for Judo to qualify for the Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1988. Sandra was many times Canadian Champion and was a mainstay on the National Team for many years. She was a Pan American Games gold medalist as well as placing in a number of international tournaments. Sandra is a certified NCCP level 3 coach.
Wayne Erdman
1999
Wayne was a member of the 1976 Olympic Team. He is a certified Level 3 NCCP coach and a former National Coach. Wayne was a gold medalist at the 1975 Pan-American Games as well as being a Canadian Champion many times. He currently operates the Olympia Judo Club in Kitchener, ON. Wayne holds the rank of 7th dan and has also been a member of the Provincial Grading Board.
Tina Takahashi
1998
Tina was many times a Canadian Champion and won a number of international medals. One of her greatest achievements came when she won a gold medal at the World University Games. Tina was the Olympic Coach for Sandra Greaves at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Tina is a member of the National Grading Board and holds the rank of 6th dan.
Kevin Doherty
1996
Kevin was a member of the 1984-88 Olympic Teams. His greatest achievement came with a bronze medal at the 1981 World Championships. Kevin placed in a number of World Class tournaments and was several times Canadian Champion. He has held various positions on the Judo Ontario and Judo Canada Board of Directors. Kevin holds the rank of 7th dan.
Phil Takahashi
1996
Phil was a member of the 1980-84-88 Olympic Teams. His greatest achievement came with a bronze medal at the 1981 World Championships. He was many times Canadian Champion and placed in a number of World-class tournaments. Phil teaches a number of martial arts at the Takahashi Judo Club. Phil holds the rank of 7th dan.
John Hatashita
2006
Masao Kawasaki
2005
Mitchell Kawasaki
2005
William Doherty
1999
Mas Takahashi
1998
Leo Haunsberger
1997
Steve Kamino
1997
Frank Hatashita
1996
Masatoshi Umetsu
1996


SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
Not only does Judo Ontario recognize outstanding achievements... so do others. It’s this kind of hard work,
passion and sweat equity that sets Judo Ontario apart from other sports organizations.
Below we acknowledge some of the individuals who have found themselves in the spotlight
Steven Sheffield
2013
2013 Syl Apps Award
Recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement was honoured by the Minister of Health Promotion the honourable Margarett Best in grateful recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of Amateur Sport.
Jessica Klimkait
2013
2013 Female Athlete of the Year
The Sport Alliance of Ontario selects a committee of sport experts from various sectors who are tasked to select 3 finalist from various categories from over 60 sports who have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally in the previous year. Jessica was selected as one of three finalist and moved on to be selected as Female Athlete of the Year.
Pedro Guedes
2013
2013 Coach of the Year Finalist
The Sport Alliance of Ontario selects a committee of sport experts from various sectors who are tasked to select 3 finalist from various categories from over 60 sports who have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally in the previous year. Pedro was selected as one of three finalist as Coach of the Year.
Duncan Vignale
2013
Life Time Member
The Judo Ontario Selection Committee recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving Judo in Ontario on many levels over a span of 10 years or more. Life Time Members are exempt from paying Judo Ontario fees.
Tony Kelly
2012
2012 Syl Apps Award
Recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement was honoured by the Minister of Health Promotion the honourable Margarett Best in grateful recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of Amateur Sport.
Duncan Vignale
2011
2011 Syl Apps Award
Recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement was honoured by the Minister of Health Promotion the honourable Margarett Best in grateful recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of Amateur Sport.
William Doherty
2010
2010 Syl Apps Award
Recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement was honoured by the Minister of Health Promotion the honourable Margarett Best in grateful recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of Amateur Sport.
Jack Polonsky
2009
2009 Syl Apps Award
Recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement was honoured by the Minister of Health Promotion the honourable Margarett Best on April 15th, 2010 at the Atlantis Pavilion, Ontario Place in grateful recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of Amateur Sport.
Chuck Lee
2008
2008 Syl Apps Award
Recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement was honoured by the Minister of Health Promotion the honourable Margarett Best on March 26th, 2009 at the Weston Bristol Hotel in grateful recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of Amateur Sport.
Craig Weldon
2007
2007 Syl Apps Award
Recipient of the Syl Apps Special Achievement was honoured by the Minister of Health Promotion the honourable Margarett Best on April 18th, 2008 at the prestigious granite club in grateful recognition of a distinguished contribution to the field of Amateur Sport.
Brian Kalsen
2006