Judo

Judo - "the Way of Gentleness" was founded by Dr. Jigoro Kano in 1882 to develop a martial art into a way of life and a sport based on overarching principles concerning the development of physical, mental, and moral culture.

The sport of Judo is practiced worldwide and is best known for its spectacular throwing techniques, specialized grappling techniques including controlled hold-downs, elbow joint-locks and choking submission techniques. The study of Kodokan Judo also includes kata - forms of throwing, grappling and self-defence techniques and principles.

Children, youth and adults can practice and enjoy the sport regardless of age or gender. Judo training can improve balance, flexibility, coordination, aerobic fitness and physical strength, with inherent improvement in self-confidence, concentration, and self-discipline. JCCC Judo Kai individual competitors have won gold medals at the Canada Winter Games, Canadian Open and Elite Invitational Judo Championships, and multiple medals representing Canada at international competitions, including 2020 Olympian Shady El Nahas: 3-time Pan American Champion, and multi-time medalist on the International Judo Federation World Tour. JCCC Judo Kai teams won the 2013 and 2014 Ontario Club Championships and have won provincial and national medals in kata competitions.

The JCCC Judo Kai was recognized as 2018 Club of the Year by Judo Ontario.

JCCC Judo Kai instructors:

Head Instructor: Shane LeGros, 5th Dan.
Instructors: 6th Dan: Herman Vermeiren, Gerald Okimura; 5th Dan: Dan Rusu;
3rd Dan: Darrell Sakauye, Russ Takashima; 2nd Dan: Florante Balagasay, Andrew Jaimes, Ivan Chitov, Vladimir Chitov, Matthew Dales, Alec Pestov, Jennifer Haines; 1st Dan: Eric Lee, John MacKenzie, Michael Tam, Don Nguyen, Huy Truong, Derek Chow, Georgi Podskokniev, David MacBride, Paolo Negro, Stelian Bochis, Helya Bahrami

Many of our instructors and black belts are current and former national and international medalists, hold national and international coaching, refereeing, and kata judging certifications, with many decades of experience in national and international Judo.

The JCCC Judo Kai offers a full range of classes and training for recreational and competitive students of all ages throughout the week.

• Minimum Age: 7 for General/Randori and 15 for Joshi(Women's)
• New Students: Accepted at the beginning of a Series. (Beginners must attend a class within the first 2 weeks.)
• Series Start: January, April, July and October 
• Registration Start: Priority register from the 1st to 14th of the month prior; open registration from the 15th to the first week of classes.
• Judo Ontario membership is mandatory for all JCCC Judo Kai members. Please ask an instructor for details after attending your first classes.

• The series runs on a 13-week course. Attendance for beginners is essential within the first 2 weeks in order to establish fundamentals for the proceeding weeks.

To learn more about the program, you can review our handbook: JCCC Judo Kai Handbook

The Photo was taken by Raymond Yabuta