At 73 years young, Murray Patterson is not just a participant in judo; he is a pillar of the local sports community.
For four decades, the first-degree black belt has been a constant and passionate presence at the Portage Judo Club, where he now serves as an instructor, passing on his knowledge and love for the martial art to a new generation.
Patterson’s journey into the world of judo began not from a personal ambition, but through the interests of his two daughters.
"They were done with figure skating. They didn't like the early morning practices, so they decided they wanted to do judo," Patterson recalls. "And as it turned out, one of my good friends from school was the instructor at the time. So, they started, and I thought it looked like fun, so I started too. That was it."
While his daughters eventually moved on from the sport, Patterson found a lifelong passion.
He attributes his enduring commitment to the multifaceted benefits judo provides, both for himself and the children he now teaches.
"I find the sport is really good for a couple of things. First of all, you get physically in shape. Secondly, what I like is that it teaches the kids a little bit of self-control, how to control their bodies, and it teaches them that they can be important. They can do something that looks really cool."
A long-awaited black belt accomplishment
For many years, Patterson balanced his growing love for judo with the demands of work and raising a young family.
This meant his own competitive pursuits took a backseat to supporting the club as a dedicated helper and instructor. His patience and persistence, however, were rewarded in a significant way just a few years ago.
"I'm a first-degree black belt. I had my brown belt forever, and then when I retired in 2015, I decided I should try and get my black belt. So I did that in 2018, got my black belt. As far as accomplishments, I guess my black belt was my biggest accomplishment that took me a couple of years to train and to learn everything I needed to know."
The reward of watching students grow
Now, Patterson’s greatest joy comes from his role on the teaching mats.
He specializes in guiding students from their first steps as white belts up to the brown belt level, a journey he finds deeply fulfilling.
"I get to see them when they start out as a white belt. And then over the years, as they progress, it's so rewarding to see them progress and do well. Some of them even do really well at the provincial or national level. That's really rewarding, and that's what I get out of it."
His own vitality at 73 is a testament to the active lifestyle judo promotes. Beyond the dojo, Patterson stays busy walking his dogs three miles a day and maintaining his acreage.
He humbly credits "good genes," but his dedication to constant movement is undeniable.
An open invitation to the community
The Portage Judo Club itself has a rich history, operating since the 1950s.
Patterson extends an open invitation to anyone curious about the sport, echoing the club's welcoming philosophy.
"It's been around a long time, and a lot of people maybe don't know a lot about it, but I would encourage anybody who's thinking of joining a club to come out. You get a couple of weeks free, and the cost if you decide to join is quite reasonable. So, just come out, and if you don't want to participate, just come out and watch - maybe you'll get the bug."
For Murray Patterson, the bug bit 40 years ago, and it’s a passion that continues to fuel his life and enrich his community.