Tora Judo Club: Founded in 1970
Tora is proud of its association
with the City of Brampton for
almost 35 years. During this time, thousands of students have
proudly called Tora their second home. We at Tora are fortunate in
having our members gather many medals from all over the
world. However success in competition is not the primary
goal. As Professor Kano said, our goal is to produce better
people.
To produce a better person
requires training, discipline, team work, selflessness as well as
dedication. Tora's volunteer instructors offer all of this in
addition to teaching the techniques of judo.
We at Tora offer you to a new
adventure -- one that has been taken by many students before
you. We hope you find this adventure as rewarding as we have.
The Tora family:
Our many qualified instructors:
Our instructors are fully certified to coach and all have many years
of coaching and instruction under their belts. Tora Judo Club has
produced many black belts. Many of the
instructors have been with the club for over 20 years; we even have a
few original members from the very beginning of Tora! We have
also seen third generation judokas coming on our
mats. .
Tony Kelly - Sandan 3rd degree
Tony recently obtained his National A referee status while in BC in early 2011. Tony is the current club president and has been around the club since the early day's of Tora. Tony runs the fighters class on Tuesday nights. Tony has his Dojo Instructor (NCCP Level 2 coaching) and can be seen refereeing at almost all tournaments.
Heather West (Reid) - Sandan 3rd degree
Heather started Judo back in the 70's with her two older brothers Glenn and Kevin, she left as a brown belt and came back in 1999 when her youngest Derrick showed an interest in Judo. Since that time Heather has been actively involved in the club in various ways and was Manager of the JO Provincial Team for two years and a provincial coach for one year. Heather still competes, coaches and referees. Heather has her Dojo Instructor (NCCP Level 2 coaching) and her Provincial A referee status.
Roland Chalons - Sandan 3rd degree
Rolly started Judo in Tahiti in 1964, where he progressed to his brown belt. He came to Canada in 1969 and in 1984 he joined the Tora Judo Club. Rolly received his black belt in 1995, he currently has this Sandan, NCCP level 2 certified and has Provincial B status in referring. Rolly teaches at the club on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.
Jack Libregts - Shodan 1st degree
Grant Kuramoto - Sandan 3rd degree
Originally from the Steveston Judo Club in British Columbia, Grant moved to Ontario and joined the Tora Judo Club in 2004. Grant, who enjoys practicing judo with his children Michael and Lindsay, provides instruction in both the junior and adult classes. He currently holds an IJF Continental referee license and serves on the Judo Ontario referee committee.
Jason Hall - Nidan - 2nd degree
Jason received his black belt in March 2008. Jason started with Tora Judo Club in 1986 and continued until 1991 when he took a sabbatical, and returned in 2001 to continue his studies. Jason is NCCP level II certified.
Alexander Foster
Alexander Reid - Shodan 1st degree
Alexander started Judo in 2000, he has competed in various tournaments throughout the years and obtained his black belt in 2009. Alexander made the Ontario Provincial Team in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He also obtained his Dojo Assistant (NCCP Level 1) and is a Provincial B referee.
Derrick Reid - Shodan 1st degree
Derrick started Judo in 2000, he has competed in various tournaments throughout the years and obtained his black belt in June 2010. Derrick also has his Dojo Assistant (NCCP Level 1) and will be working on his Dojo Instructor (NCCP Level 2 this May). Derrick helps out with the fighters class and the adult classes. He brings new ideas and approaches to classes by applying his education in exercise science, other martial arts and strength conditioning training.
Jacob Smith- Shodan February 2011
Jacob (Jake) started Judo in his early twenties and quickly fell in love with the sport. Originally training under Goki Uemura 8th Dan of Shin Bu Kan, Jake moved to Brampton in 2004 and has been with at Tora since that time. Jake has also spent several years training other martial arts such as Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Mauy Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Besides providing instruction to both the kids and adult classes, Jake also enjoys competitive fighting and practicing Judo with his son Noah. Jake has his level 1 coaching - Dojo Assistant.
Other Black Belts from Tora
Peter Mara - Shodan 1st degree
Nicole Jenicek - Nidan
Mick McNabb - Shodan
Thank you to the countless volunteer instructors who spend countless hours
teaching and coaching!
Thank you to our volunteers!
art that teaches it's practitioners (judoka) to gain control over an attacker without striking him or her. It is a method of
turning an opponent's strength against him or her and overcoming by skill rather than sheer strength. 
