SHOP
It is with heavy hearts that Judo BC and the Nanaimo Judo Club say goodbye to Shuji Tabata Sensei.
Shuji was born on August 19, 1945, in Inami-chō, Wakayama, Japan. His family emigrated to Canada in 1957, and in 1958 he began his judo journey at the Kamloops Judo Club.
Shuji worked as a welding instructor for his whole career. That work took him all over the province, and he shared his judo experience with many clubs along the way. In 1980 he settled in Nanaimo, where he spent many years as a key instructor at the Nanaimo Judo Club and helped train many of its black belts. Shuji also gave a great deal to Judo BC as a referee, a kata judge, and a long-serving member of the Grading Board.
Away from the dojo, Shuji loved fishing and hiking on the West Coast.
Shuji will be deeply missed by his family, his students, and the whole BC judo community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Celebration of Life
Sunday, November 8, 2026
1:30–3:30 PM
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 256
1630 East Wellington Road, Nanaimo, BC
