The Judo Canada Awards and Recognition Committee’s mandate is to recognize the contribution of our volunteers and athletes who meet the gold standard of commitment to our sport. Volunteers are essential to the development and advancement of judo in Canada. All our award recipients have continued to build on our rich tradition with their exceptional commitment and accomplishments at the national and international levels.
The Awards and Recognition committee welcomes you to join us in showing our gratitude and congratulations to this year’s award recipients, and to thank them for their commitment and dedication to our sport.
Brian Kalsen (Chair of Judo Canada's Recognition Committee)
See the list below of Judo Ontario's recipients of Judo Canada's prestigious recognition awards.
JUDO CANADA HALL OF FAME
Charles Formosa (Formokan Judo Club)
Is here by inducted as a builder into the Judo Canada Hall of Fame of Judo in Canada
which he developed multiple black belts and trained numerous provincial and national champions. Two of his students, Glenn Beauchamp and Kelita Stevens (Zupancic), went on to become Olympians. Beauchamp competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, placing 5th in the former, while Stevens competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, placing 7th in the latter and qualifying for a third Olympics in 2020. Formosa had a passion for teaching and spent several years refereeing, working his way through the ranks of National A (1982), PJU (1985), and IJF (1987). He was also a competitor, having competed in the national championships in 1968, 1970, and 1971. He won the CNE and Am-Can tournaments in the master’s division. In addition to his work at the Formokan Judo Club, Formosa spent over 30 years coaching at Olympia Sports Camp every summer, teaching judo to hundreds of children and young adults. He was also a mainstay on the Judo Ontario Board of Directors, serving for 26 years, including 6 years as President. In recognition of his achievements, Formosa was inducted into the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Judo Ontario Hall of Fame in 2015. Formosa’s commitment and passion for judo have inspired athletes in Ontario and throughout Canada. We congratulate him on his induction into the Judo Canada Hall of Fame.
COMPETITIVE CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD
Nominated by the Judo Canada High Performance Committee
This award is presented to the judo club with the top ranking at the Elite Nationals. Clubs who have
athletes competing in the Elite Nationals are eligible for this award. The clubs ranked number 1 for the
U18 divisions will receive the award.
Taifu Judo Club (Vitaliy Polyanskyy)
MOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
(Nominated by the Judo Canada High Performance Committee)
This award is presented to the judokas who distinguish themselves amongst their peers with the best results for the year, and continuously show commitment, determination, and the desire to improve.
Most Outstanding U21 Athlete
Jumber Meladze ON (Taifu Judo Club)
1st on the National Ranking
Most Outstanding Senior Kata Athlete
Shane Rooney - ON (Takahashi Dojo)
World Championships Kata (Bronze Medalist)
Most Outstanding Senior Kata Athlete
Bailey Hu - ON (Takahashi Dojo)
World Championships Kata (Bronze Medalist)