#CAJP members Sébastien Lemire – Bloc Québécois, Député d’Abitibi-Témiscamingue , Photo©Embassy of Japan
Judoka Tony Walby Presented with the Japan Ambassador’s Award in Ottawa
On May 21, 2025, Ambassador Yamanouchi presented the Ambassador’s Award to Canadian judoka and two-time Paralympian Tony Walby in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to judo and the friendship between Japan and Canada.
From his childhood training at Takahashi Dojo, where he currently teaches, to his groundbreaking achievements as both a sighted and visually impaired athlete, Tony has embodied the spirit of judo. As the first blind person to achieve 6th dan and the only visually impaired athlete to compete in the World Judo Kata Championships, he continues to inspire athletes and judokas in Canada and around the world.
His journey reflects not only athletic excellence, but also the enduring values that unite our two countries.
Mr. Tony Walby’s Profile
ony started learning Judo at Takahashi Dojo at the age of 7. Despite being diagnosed with a progressive visual impairment, he excelled as a member of the national able-bodied team from the age of 16. At the age of 35, after being declared legally blind, he retired from the national team and transitioned to visually impaired Judo.
Currently, while working as an engineer at the Correctional Service Canada, Tony also teaches Judo at Takahashi Dojo. After competing in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, he retired from competitive Judo and now competes in the World Judo Kata Championships. Notably, Tony is the only visually impaired athlete competing in the World Kata Championships.