Our story
About us
A nonprofit, member-run club built on over 50 years of tradition, community, and the principles of Judo.
Our mission: To teach the art of Judo to the Guelph community — building confidence, character, and safe-falling skills for all ages in a welcoming, quality environment.
Our story
Judo as we know it today began in Japan in 1882, founded by Sensei Jigoro Kano.
Judo in Guelph began in the late 1950’s as the Guelph Judo Club, an affiliate of the Hatashita Judo Club of Toronto. It practiced in the old YMCA, now a multi-storey apartment complex, on Quebec Street. When the “Y” was built on Speedvale Avenue, now a church, the club moved again and changed its name to The Kohbukan Judo Club in 1974. The club again changed its location to the “new” “Y” for a few years. Three more location changes and we are now at the Midas plaza sharing space with Sealy Karate.
The club was incorporated as The Kohbukan Judo Club, a nonprofit corporation, in late 1999. Our mandate is to teach Judo to residents in and around Guelph. We’re a member-run nonprofit — not a franchise, not a business. We exist to share the art of Judo with our community.
Our name, Kohbukan, means “to teach the way of the warrior.”
The founder of Judo, Sensei Jigoro Kano, based Judo on two principles: mutual welfare and benefit (jita kyoei) and maximum efficiency with minimum effort (seiryoku zenyo). These principles guide everything we do, from how we teach beginners to how we run the club.
We offer programs for children, youth, and adults. Whether you’re looking for a martial art for your child, a fitness challenge for yourself, or a path to competition, you’ll find a welcoming home here.
At a glance
- Founded
- 1974
- Structure
- Member-run nonprofit
- Location
- 10 Speedvale Ave E, 2nd Floor
Guelph, Ontario - Affiliation
- Judo Ontario · Judo Canada
What is Judo?
Judo ("the gentle way") is a modern Japanese martial art and Olympic sport founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882. It emphasizes using an opponent's force against them through throws, trips, and sweeps, as well as groundwork including pins, chokes, and joint locks.
Unlike striking-based martial arts, Judo is practiced with a partner and a heavy emphasis on safety. The first skill every Judoka learns is ukemi — how to fall without getting hurt. This alone is one of the most practical self-defense skills anyone can have.
Judo has been an Olympic sport since 1964 and is practiced by millions worldwide. It develops physical fitness, mental toughness, and character in a way few other activities can match.
Instructors
Dave Robb
Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) · Kodokan Judo
David R. Robb has been practicing Judo since 1963. He graded to Godan (5th degree black belt) in Kodokan Judo 2015. He studied under Frank Hatashita at York University and obtained his shodan rank under Ray Kelly at the University of Alberta. Dave competed for York University for four years and the University of Alberta for one year. In 1968 Dave fought for the province of Alberta at the Nationals in Saskatoon.
He holds National B referee status and has completed Level 2 NCCP in Judo. He is also nationally qualified to judge Nage no Kata, Katame no Kata, Ju no Kata, Kime no Kata and Goshin Jutsu. He has been the dojoshu of the Kohbukan Judo Club since 1988 and a Director of the Kohbukan Shiai since 2000. He was on the Board of Directors for Judo Ontario from 2010–2015 as VP Competitions. A retired high school English teacher, he created an illustrated syllabus (five booklets) for the club and has written technical manuals for Ju no Kata, Goshin Jutsu and just completed one for Katame no Kata.
Dave and his partner, Paul Davidson competed at the Nationals in 2005 in Nage no Kata coming third in this event. He and Paul have since competed in many national and provincial competitions in Goshin Jutsu and Ju no Kata.
He continues to study katas under Sensei Duncan Vignale.
Outside Judo, he builds boats, turns bowls on a lathe and does other woodworking projects.
Linda Majunke
Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) · Kodokan Judo
Linda began practicing Judo at the age of 8 in Kitchener under the teachings of the late Dave Thomas. She joined Asahi Judo Club in 1991 and obtained a shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1995. She instructed classes and co-formed the women's only self defence/Judo program. She trained at Club Olympia under Wayne Erdman.
In 1998, she was part of the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association and through the association, started Fun & Fitness Judo Club. The Judo club continued for 20 years until 2019 when she joined the Kohbukan Judo Club. She holds level 2 NCCP training. Now a third degree black belt, Linda enjoys learning Judo kata and competing in kata competitions.
Assistant Instructors
Michael Melanson
Ikkyu (Brown Belt)
Michael has been practicing Judo since 2002 and has previously trained under Wayne Erdman at Club Olympia in Kitchener, Ontario, as well as the Takahashi family and Tony Walby in Ottawa, Ontario. He began teaching after his daughter expressed interest in Judo following the Olympics.
Abdulrahman "Al" Bahabri
Ikkyu (Brown Belt)
Al started training Judo in Kohbukan-Sisu in 2019 with Sensei Wayland Pulkkinen and Sensei Dave Robb. Later on, he moved to British Columbia where he trained with Sensei Aline Strasdin in the Prince George Judo Club. Al holds a B.A. in Psychology and completed NCCP levels 1 & 2 training.
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