Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre of Hamilton

11/01/2026

🙋 Volunteers wanted: help make sumo history in Hamilton!

On Saturday, November 7, the Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre hosts the Hammertown Sumo Throwdown, Ontario’s first sanctioned amateur sumo event. It brings wrestlers from Hamilton and Toronto, a youth sumo demo, and a hall full of first-time sumo fans. We need a few friendly hands to make the day run smoothly.

Where we could use you:

Setup and teardown (benches, mats, signs)
Welcome desk (greeting competitors and handling sign-in)
Door and donations
Parking and wayfinding

📅 Saturday, November 7, with shifts from 7:30 a.m.
📍 Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre, 45 Hempstead Drive, Hamilton
✅ No sumo experience needed. We’ll brief everyone before the day.
🎓 High school students: we can sign off your community involvement hours.

Volunteers get a front-row view of a piece of Ontario sports history. Interested? Email [email protected] with your name and the role you’d like, or comment below and we’ll reach out.

Hosted by the Hamilton Sumo Club and the CJCC; organized by the Ronin Sumo Club.

10/23/2026

Learn the Fundamentals of Sumo this Sunday 10am – 1pm — grips, throws, pull downs, push outs. Try a new sport or add to your grappling toolbox, or both! Beginner friendly.

🗓 Sun Oct 25 · 10 AM–1 PM · $25 (CJCC members free, 14+) · CJCC, Hamilton
Details & sign-up on the CJCC events page:
https://www.hamiltoncjcc.ca/new-events-1

10/22/2026

🥋 A Championship Season for Kawasaki Rendokan Judo! 🥋

The Kawasaki Rendokan dojo at the Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre of Hamilton is having an extraordinary competitive year — and we couldn’t be prouder of our athletes and senseis representing our club, our community, and Canada on the world stage.

🌍 On the World & International Stage

🥉 Valentina and Zoey captured their first-ever World Bronze Medals in Ju-No-Kata at the World Kata Championships in Sarajevo (September 2026) — a historic result for our club. The same pair also earned Pan American Silver in Ecuador this year, and are reigning Canadian Champions (2025 & 2026).

🥋 Sensei Dan Bird represented Canada at the World Kata Championships in Kodokan Goshin Jitsu and Itsutsu-No-Kata.

⚖️ Sensei Kawasaki and Sensei Gosia Lampman were selected by Judo Canada to represent Canada as IJF-certified Kata Judges at both the World Kata Championships in Sarajevo and the Pan American Championships. Both are IJF-certified on all 7 Kodokan Kata — a rare and demanding distinction.

🏆 At the Matsuru Ontario Open Judo Championships

Our shiai (combat) competitors brought it home against the best on the continent. Among 1,200+ competitors from across Canada and the USA — plus Japan, Ukraine, and Georgia — Kawasaki Rendokan placed 6th out of 123 teams, earning:

🥇 4 Gold · 🥈 4 Silver · 🥉 9 Bronze

Congratulations to every athlete who stepped onto the mat, and to Alejandro, Julien Edwards, and all who competed with such heart.

To our athletes, senseis, families, and supporters — this is what years of dedication, discipline, and community look like. 練道館 forever. 🇨🇦

10/09/2026

Our Sumo Fundamental Workshop is back — three hours of real technique, open to total beginners and experienced grapplers alike. No experience needed, no spandex required. Come learn the fundamentals and spend a morning figuring out how to move someone who doesn’t want to be moved.

🗓 Sunday, October 25 · 10 AM–1 PM
💵 $25 at the door
📍 Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre, 45 Hempstead Dr, Hamilton
✉️ To register: email [email protected] — or just show up on the day.

Want to try competing? Our Nov 7 friendly community event is open now https://smoothcomp.com/en/event/35467

See you on the dohyō.
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10/04/2026

🚨 The 1st Annual Hammertown Sumo Throwdown! 🚨

Step into the ring! We are thrilled to host an action-packed day of sumo wrestling right here in Hamilton. Whether you're competing or cheering from the sidelines, this is an event you won't want to miss.

🗓️ Date & Time: November 7th (start time TBD)
📍 Location: Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre of Hamilton (45 Hempstead Dr)

Divisions:

Women’s Division (Open Weight depending on turnout)

Men’s Divisions: Featherweight, Lightweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight

Open Weight (All weights and sexes)

Plus a kids' demo if time allows!

💰 Registration Fee: $50
⚠️ Capacity: Limited to 30 competitors, so lock in your spot early!
Note: Waivers required (separate Canadian and US waivers apply).

10/04/2026

New Program Alert! 🧘‍♀️🥋

We are thrilled to welcome Alana McDonald to our programming lineup with a brand new Yoga Program!

Alana brings decades of martial arts background (Judo since 1986!) and extensive fitness expertise, holding a 200-hour Yoga Alliance certification and CanFitPro FIS certification. Whether you are looking to improve your flexibility, build strength, or complement your existing training, these classes are designed for all levels.

Contact: [email protected] to join!

10/01/2026

🥉 WORLD BRONZE FOR HAMILTON! 🥉

We are proud to congratulate Valentina Millan Rincon and Zoey McIntosh, who won bronze in Ju No Kata at the IJF World Kata Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Their coaches are Sensei Mitchell Kawasaki and Sensei Gosia Lampman.

For the record, this is the first-ever World Bronze Medal in Ju No Kata by a member of the Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre of Hamilton training under Kawasaki Rendokan Judo Academy. It was also Canada's only medal at these World Championships.

This medal came out of our own dojo. It was built on the facilities of our Centre and the expertise of our coaches, and it belongs to everyone who supported it: Judo Canada, Judo Ontario, the City of Hamilton, the CJCC of Hamilton and the Kawasaki Rendokan Judo Academy.

🎉 Join us to celebrate!
📍 Mandarin Restaurant, Upper James, Hamilton
🗓 Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 4:30 PM

Please share and help us congratulate our World medallists! 🇨🇦🥋

09/03/2026

Discover the Power of Taiko!
Join Do Kon Daiko for an exciting Taiko Drum Workshop at the Canadian Japanese Cultural Centre of Hamilton on Sunday October 25th 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

No experience required — just enthusiasm and energy!
Spaces are limited, so register soon.

Fee: $75 per person

(drums must be transported to CJCC for the workshop and returned to the taiko dojo)

45 Hempstead Drive
Hamilton ON L8W 2Y6
🔗 www.dokondaiko.com

09/03/2026