Tom Mukai, Burnaby’s outstanding citizen in 1997, founded the Burnaby Judo Club at the Bonsor rec centre in 1966. A 7th Dan black belt and Judo Canada life member, Mukai has produced over 60 black belts during his more than 35 years in Burnaby, including numerous junior and senior national and international champions.
He was the first fighter from B.C. to compete at the judo nationals and later was Team B.C.’s first coach in 1970. Mukai mentored the Canadian men’s and women’s team internationally in the 1980’s and ’90s respectively.
Mukai is also a certified international referee and has officiated at the Junior Pan Am Games and the U.S. Open.
