After nearly five months of photography, meetings, and interviews, I’m pleased to share that the first draft of The Essence of Judo is now with the publisher. The thanks for the project are all due to Greg Butrey’s superhuman efforts. It took all those efforts to make it happen.

We criss-crossed southern Ontario and even made a stop in Montreal.

This project has truly been a remarkable experience, and I wanted to share a few highlights that reflect its scope and depth:

The book captures the stories of 53 individuals from Ontario’s judo community
Collectively, these contributors represent an estimated 3,500–4,000 years of life experience
26 of the 51 high-ranking Dans listed on the Ontario Judo website are featured in the book.
Stories from 12 of the province’s 16 Olympians are included.
16 of 29 Ontario Judo Hall of Fame inductees have participated
We visited five clubs and three tournaments to document the next generation of judoka
The book also includes voices from volunteers, officials, senseis, club owners, and board members—past and present
We’ve honoured several individuals through stories shared by their families and club members

Together, these contributions form a powerful and lasting record of the spirit, history, and community of judo in Ontario. I’m excited about what this book will represent, and I look forward to sharing more as we approach publication.

I also want to sincerely thank Eric (Rick) Hatashita for his support early on. The retiree luncheon at the Mandarin provided invaluable momentum and served as a meaningful springboard into this journey.

To those who supported us with your stories, time and effort. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Future of Judo

The Wisdom Of Judokas

I love listening to other people’s stories and understanding the struggles they’ve faced and overcome. I didn’t know anything about judo, but that wasn't an issue because I didn’t need to. I'm all about people and their stories. Many times, I wanted to give them a hug or get teary-eyed.

I read about their journeys. Okay, I’m a softie for stories of overcoming adversity. Judo presented many challenges, but it also taught skills that can be carried throughout a lifetime and beyond the Tatami mats.

I have compiled some of my favourite insights from all the interviews here. They are not in any order.

I quit Judo about 1500 times, sometimes twice in one day! I've shoved my gi top into a garbage can and flung my gi bag under a bus, but I never missed a practice!” Sandra Greaves

“My most valuable times were spent penniless, living in dojo basements, a teammate's walk-in closet, or in Judo-house, where six Shidokan fighters shared an apartment above Sensei Nakamura's house. I hung a bamboo curtain across my bedroom, sublet half of it to my training partner for $125 a month, and taught a few Judo classes when I was in the country”. Sandra Greaves

I broke both shoulders, had two hips replaced, two knees replaced, and look at my hands and what they look like after 60 years of judo—AND I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT!” Duncan Vignale

“Judo is my life," Herman Vermeiren

“What does it take to succeed? Train for six hours daily, six days a week, for 18 years to stay on the national team”. Karl Doherty

“Judo literally saved my life. I fell 16 feet from a scaffold and managed to land properly in judo. Any other type of course correction during the fall might have been fatal”. Tony Kelly

“The philosophy of JITA-KYOEI (mutual benefit) and SEIRYOKU ZENYO (maximum efficiency, minimum effort) weaves in and out of my daily life, and as a secondary school teacher, I get to pass these principles on to a younger generation, even though they are not learning judo”. Karina Doherty

Over the years, I’ve learned that you can gain just as much from a beginner as from a champion—if you approach both with respect. Daniel Bird

“There were times when it felt like we lived in the car more than at home when we weren’t on the mat. But that grind of miles, late nights, and the constant pursuit of better training shaped not only my judo but also my mindset.” Joshua Hagan

I have spent my entire judo life with the Takahashi Dojo; it’s not just like family—it's my family". Tony Walby

“Finally, make sure you have a balanced life. Judo, school, family, and friends. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Have fun and enjoy the ride”. Craig Weldon

“There are no shortcuts! If you work hard, stay positive, and surround yourself with good friends, coaches, and family, anything is possible!” Craig Weldon

“The greatest gift I would give is to be patient with the process and to fall in love with learning, not just winning. Judo rewards consistency, humility, and resilience over time. Every loss and every struggle on the mat teaches you something valuable if you stay open to them. Trust your coaches, show up even on the hard days, and remember that progress in judo (and in life) is rarely linear”. Kelita Zupancic

“Never give up”. Andrei Oudovikine

“Letting the illness win was never an option. I could have let it consume me and take away everything I loved. Some days it does win, and I rest, but I don't let it keep me down for long. Judo and BJJ have been a shining light in my darkness. The movement, repetition, and community have all been beneficial for the mind, body, and soul”. Briana McDowell

“Listen to your Sensei and put yourself forward for examination and promotion while you're still young. It hurts too much later in life, ha, ha”. Frank Vossen

“Before starting judo, it is important to be in good shape. Then, listen to your Sensei to learn the basics of judo, especially how to fall (ukemi). Study off the mats so you're prepared to try new techniques at the dojo. Most importantly, have FUN! You'll find judo fosters great camaraderie and lifelong friendships.” Eddy Zupancic

“Not everyone becomes a champion, but everyone can become a better version of themselves”. Eric Lindsay

“You can’t teach motivation; it must come from within.” John Hatashita

“God is Good”. Fred Dyke

“The greatest gift I would give is to be patient with the process and to fall in love with learning, not just winning. Judo rewards consistency, humility, and resilience over time. Every loss and every struggle on the mat teaches you something valuable if you remain open to them”. Kelita Zupancic-Stevens

“I didn’t realize that when your dreams come true, it is all worth the struggles, training, time commitment, and injuries”. Craig Weldon

“The biggest challenge has been balancing family, work, and, at the time, running a small farm, all while being involved in judo. We managed. Don’t ask me how”. Gerry Okimura

“Stay true to the spirit of judo, remembering that it is intended to be a lifelong process of personal growth and self-improvement, above all. Keep in mind that judo is both a personal and a communal journey, with the goal of becoming a positive contributor to society. Judo was never about winning or losing, but about the lessons learned from both.” David Miller

The Essence of Judo

The Future of Judo

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