In celebration of Canadian Sport Institute Ontario’s 25th Anniversary, we are excited to share our history and the impact CSIO has had on the Ontario and Canadian sport system by elevating people and performances in the pursuit of building champions. The stories will be told over the year-long celebration through three concurrent article series – Elevating Excellence, Elevating People, and Elevating Performances.
Our latest article comes from our Elevating Performances series, which will take a deeper look at the impact CSIO and its Ontario High Performance Sport Initiative Program has had on the sport of judo in Ontario and Canada. Written by acclaimed sports journalist David Grossman, the article examines the strong relationship between CSIO, Judo Ontario, and Judo Canada, including its impact on Olympic judoka Shady Elnahas, as he prepares to represent Canada at his second Olympic Games.
By David Grossman
Humans are often hard-wired to look ahead. Their relationships and affiliations can lead to strong partnerships, and those can develop into significant, and often, major positive impacts.
That’s exactly what occurred when Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) sat down for a conversation with Judo Ontario to examine what the two organizations, working in tandem, can accomplish to assist athletes who are focussed on competing at the international level.
Since that time, good news has prevailed. The number of benefactors has risen – and it keeps climbing. It all focuses on what is known as the Ontario High Performance Sport Initiative. Going by the acronym OHPSI, it has been a huge bonus to athletes.
Let’s look at one example of what OHPSI has done for an individual. His name is Shady Elnahas. Most Canadians likely don’t know of him – but times are changing. You won’t see Elnahas competing in a hockey arena, on a baseball diamond, basketball court or football field.
He’s what is known as a “judoka”.
For those not familiar with the sport of judo, that’s the term used to highlight any level of expertise by an individual in that sport. Elnahas, when he enters a competition, bows in respect to his opponent. He is also not wearing shoes or socks. His competitive apparel consists of three parts: a jacket, trousers, and a belt.
Elnahas doesn’t fit the category of just any average athlete. He’s quite special, and has shown it, competing in the sport of un-armed modern martial arts. Some still refer to it as a combat sport, and it’s one that has been part of the Olympic scene since 1964.
When asked to articulate on his success in judo, the 26-year-old didn’t hesitate to use a variety of positive adjectives. But he also stressed more work had to take place to make what was once a fantasy become a reality.
Elnahas also emphasized his gratitude for the OHPSI Program. He knows it well and is ecstatic about what the Ontario-based program has done for him as he readies for his next big test – the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad set for Paris this summer.
“(OHPSI) gave me the opportunity to reach my potential, my dream,” said Elnahas, who continues to train twice a day, six days a week. “The program has provided all the essential support for me and moulded me to what I am today – ranked third in the world.”
Now, for some history.
It was back in 2010, the OHPSI Program was created by CSIO to work with provincial and national sport organizations to“identify, support, and build Ontario’s future national and international champions.” This program has paved the way for triumph and huge accomplishments in Canadian sport, including the likes of Canada’s Olympic Champions – Penny Oleksiak, Andre De Grasse, and Damian Warner. CSIO currently has a cohort of twenty sports in the OHPSI Program, which is financially supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Sport.
A clear objective of CSIO and the OHPSI Program is identifying individuals, like Elnahas, deemed to be capable of achieving success at major events such as the Olympic/Paralympic Games, World Championships and the Pan/Para Pan Am Games.
Since the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, where Elnahas placed fifth in judo competition, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Egyptian-born elite athlete has been eagerly waiting for a return to the big show – and another opportunity to stand on the medal podium.
“I don’t like to lose – no athlete does,” said Elnahas, who now trains with the National squad in Montreal. “Some people think I am a funky guy with tattoos, but those who know me see a guy who has devoted lots of time, worked hard and remains focussed on a mission to beat everyone in the sport and return to Canada with a gold medal.”
While Canada has never had an Olympic gold medallist in judo, the country has come close winning silver and bronze. Elnahas, who is the only Ontario judoka on Canada’s contingent to the Olympic Games, believes it’s time to change things.
“I can remember being bullied as a kid, was horrible in judo, but good in fighting,” he said. “I take pride in being from Toronto. I know that I am also at my peak now (in judo) and have been chasing the No. 1 title. But (I) need to give credit to where it is due and that’s the OHPSI [sport science and sport medicine] support staff, the superb facility and those who have given me a winning mindset.”
Elnahas, who did earn a silver medal at the last World championships, is one admirable individual. Confident and motivated, he isn’t the only one who has high praise for the working relationship between the CSIO and Judo Ontario.
Nicolas Gill has his share of medals in judo. He won three at the World Championships and two at the Olympic Games. He knows something about excellence in sport and doesn’t hold back on his praise for OHPSI and the working agreement between CSIO and Judo Ontario.
“(OHPSI) is the best structure we have in the country outside of our National Training Centre for judo,” said the Chief Executive Officer and High-Performance Director for Judo Canada. “The CSIO programs have been a big plus for us and other sports. The way I see it, OHPSI is what the doctor ordered for athletes who have the potential to do well in competition around the world.”
With about 22,000 members in Judo Canada, and that includes a small number of 3,300 from Ontario, Gill took advantage of an opportunity to develop a rapport that now sees a sharing of professional staff and a pathway for young Ontario athletes aiming to qualify for National programs.
“I remember being involved in meetings with CSIO that brought us together with the same focus,” said Gill. “We sat down, figured things out, became totally aligned and got on with doing things well that would benefit athletes and coaches.”
With Judo Ontario’s head office located at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and just steps away from CSIO, the affiliation between the two organizations continues to show positive dividends. Just ask, Steve Sheffield, Sport Director for Judo Ontario.
“OHPSI is a big part of our program – it’s huge for the success of judo in Ontario,” said Sheffield, who has been with judo’s provincial sport association for 11 years.
As a former Canadian senior judo champion, Sheffield has represented Canada at the World Championships and a variety of other international competitions. He also has Level 3 credentials in the National Coaching Certification Program and knows it isn’t easy qualifying for international events.
“We are preparing people for future judo teams and major world events,” he said. “When you have a program like OHPSI, with a superb training environment, experts in medical and physio and under the same roof, athletes can see that as a huge stepping stone to success.”
James Millar is an OHPSI Advisor for CSIO. A former international athlete and three-time British champion, Millar was previously Judo Ontario’s High Performance Technical Director before making the switch to CSIO. He has seen firsthand the impact CSIO and Judo Ontario have had on performance.
An examination of how the relationship has benefitted the sport in Canada in the past decade is crystal clear – and that includes the bronze medal won by Whitby’s Jessica Klimkait at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She was the first female judoka to win an Olympic medal for Canada.
The same year, Klimkait became Canada’s second judo World Champion after defeating Momo Tamaoki of Japan in the women’s 57-kilogram final at the Championships in Hungary.
“Ontario has a wealth of great coaches to support the performance pathway – and Judo has been very fortunate with it’s involvement in the OHPSI program,” said Millar. “From Provincial Championships to Nationals to Pan Ams to Worlds and the Olympics, as a sport Judo has a proven track record for success, and the support from CSIO has played an integral role in growing, developing and accelerating the level of talent in Ontario.”
David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.
About Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to elevating people and performances in the pursuit of building champions. CSIO strives to provide best-in-class sport science, sport medicine, and pathway support to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations. CSIO is part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada. CSIO is further supported by Ontario’s Ministry of Sport and Sport Canada. www.csiontario.ca
Media Contact:
Laura Albright, Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Tel: 647.395.7536
Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca
www.csiontario.ca