Tony Walby started judo at the age of seven, training at the Takahashi Dojo, a place that he refers to as his second home.
He is a NCCP Level 4 Certified Judo Coach and he continues to train and teach to this day.
Tony was Junior National Champion in 1993 and a Senior National Judo team member from 1991 until 2008, where in that span of time he won 12 National Medals including the title of Senior National Heavyweight Champion in 2008.
In 2005 Tony started to lose his sight due to a genetic disorder (Cone/Rod dystrophy) and in 2010 Tony joined the National Para Judo team where he represented Team Canada at both London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Since retiring from competitive sport Tony continues to be involved with sport; whether it be his role as Athlete Council Chair for the Canadian Paralympic Committee or his transition to International Kata competitor, where he qualified to compete at the 2021 IJF World Kata Championships in October in Lisbon, Portugal.
Many would be envious of such a resume. Tony's promotion to Rokudan is a true testament of the passion and dedication of such an incredible individual and one that is undeniably well deserved. Congratulations Tony!