Judo is a combat sport for everyone. Based on a philosophy and a moral code, it has emerged from the synthesis of ancient forms of unarmed self-defense and different schools of jiu-jitsu.
Beneficial for overall health, it allows those who practice it to develop coordination, speed, flexibility, a sense of balance and it promotes the development of self-confidence as well as self-discipline.
Judo is a non-discriminatory sport which aims to be an educational way to become a better citizen. “It was in the initial idea of the creator, explains the judo trainer of Club Shidokan located in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG), Vincent Marticotte. It starts at the age of two and there is no age limit. There are some who do it at 90 years old. Both children and parents can register in judo. Regarding physical conditions, different categories exist to reach those who have certain restrictions or a handicap. In addition, judo is an inexpensive sport. ”
A national judo training center
Founded 48 years ago, the Shidokan Judo Center has been the national training center for over 40 years.
All Canadian athletes were required to train at the Shidokan. About five years ago, $ 70 million was invested to transfer the national center to the Olympic Stadium. “Since then, we have become a regular center,” continues Mr. Marticotte.
Hiroshi Nakamura, owner of the Shidokan and judo teacher, is one of the few Canadians to hold a 9e Dan, that is to say the penultimate rank in this sport. Technical Director of the Club, Mr. Nakamura was vice-champion of Japan in 1966 and several times Olympic coach. He is also a Member of the Order of Canada and a Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medalist.
Nicolas Gill, a judo legend who has competed in the Olympics four times, studied with Mr. Nakamura. In 2021, three Shidokan judokas represented Canada at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They are Arthur Margelidon and Antoine Valois-Fortier for the Olympics and Priscilla Gagné for the Paralympics.
