It only takes a few moments of chatting with Josée Daigle, the head of the KIMO Judo Club in Saint-Hilaire, New Brunswick, to understand that her energy is the driving force behind the club, which she founded in 2009 in the basement of a former school-turned-community centre. Sixteen years on, the club now boasts more than eighty members.
As an athlete, Daigle took part in several international competitions, including the 1994 Jeux de la Francophonie in Paris. When her athletic career came to an end, Josée’s interest in the sport endured, and in February 2009, a significant event in her life propelled her in a new direction: A very good friend of hers died prematurely of cancer, and before she passed away, that friend made her promise to open her own judo club.
Daigle kept that promise.
“I wanted to live that experience, and not find myself at eighty years old regretting never having tried,” said 48-year-old Daigle.
However, for a woman attempting to open a judo club in mid-season in a small community in New Brunswick, there were numerous challenges. But judging by the Lac-Baker resident’s background, it’s clear that she had the determination to make it happen.
As a child, Daigle was involved in several sports and activities, mostly traditional “girls’” activities like gymnastics, dance, and majorettes.
“But I was also a bit of a tomboy, and I had the urge to tussle. My brother, who is four years older than me, had just taken up judo.”
After taking an introductory judo class at school, Daigle told her mother she too wanted to start practising the sport.
“No, because you drop every sport you try,” said her mother.
“No, I promise I won’t drop out. And anyway, no matter what you say, I’m going to go there on foot and find out what judo is all about,” replied the energetic young girl, who, forty years later, is still keeping her promise to her mother, just as she did to her friend with cancer. “And so I fell in love with judo, which helped me channel my energy and which has helped me in every aspect of my life.”
The trained hairdresser managed to find the time to raise two children at home, ply her trade, and run her dojo, where her daughter Isabelle is now a member of the predominantly female coaching staff. According to the sensei, who partially completed training in physical education at the Université de Moncton, none of it would have been possible without the energy of her family, her athletes, and their parents.
Inspired by Canada’s elite
Daigle follows the Canadian judo team closely, especially during the Olympics. The impact of Canada’s international judo achievements becomes evident when new people show up at the KIMO Club. And to Daigle’s delight, Team Canada’s female athletes have been making an especially powerful impression.
“Women are performing in the sport at a very high level. Historically, it was mainly men who did so, but now, women are taking the lead. And they’re improving all the time. I’m so incredibly proud of our women! They’re creating a whole new world!”
And when it comes to athletes like Christa Deguchi, Jessica Klimkait, and Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, all of whom have won Olympic medals in recent years, the impact of their accomplishments goes far beyond simple sports results.
“We often used to lose our girls when they reached a certain age, but with role models like those women, we’re now keeping them longer. I always strongly encourage [female athletes] to go further, whether it be by refereeing or by coaching, because they can serve as an inspiration to other young women. It’s important that the women in my club be willing to put in the time to help the girls feel like they belong [in the sport]. Sticking with it can be difficult, so I want to show them that it’s possible. When I was young, people always told me, ‘Boys are stronger.’ Now I tease them that girls are stronger.”
Team spirit
During Daigle’s years as an athlete, her coaches also encouraged her to go into coaching. Nowadays, she takes the time to reflect on her own athletic career, to ensure that her athletes have access to the tools she didn’t have.
“There are some great programs and resources, and I love sharing them with our athletes. Things have evolved well. And one of the things I love about my sport is that there are no prejudices. Anyone can participate, regardless of their size or their height. There’s something for everyone in judo. It’s important that society be aware of that.”
Daigle’s most recent highlight was the 2023 Canada Games in Prince Edward Island, where she coached the New Brunswick women’s team.
“It didn’t take long for the girls to become fierce and intuitive and to bond with each other. That was my best year ever. Every time they won, I felt like I was winning. We were all connected. And to top it all off, we won a bronze medal [in the women’s team competition].
To compound her pride, her squad also won Team of the Year—all sports combined—at the annual New Brunswick Sports Awards Gala in 2023.
“Before the gala, I knew the team would be winning that award. And I’m the type of person who can’t keep a secret. At the hair salon, you can confide anything in me, but in real life, when it’s really good news, I want to share it with everybody.”
Just as she has done with her passion for judo.
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Written by Sportcom for Judo Canada
For more information:
Patrick Esparbès
Chief Operating Officer
Judo Canada
(514) 668-6279
p.esparbes@judocanada.org