Judo/Karate

Lethbridge's population of Japanese-Canadians brought with them their sporting traditions of Judo and Karate. It was not long until these sports became established amongst the wider community in the Lethbridge area. More than just sport, these martial arts formed a large part of Japanese culture. During the Second World War these sports were greeted with suspicion by some residents who wrongly believed that the Japanese community practiced these arts for the purpose of hurting the war effort in the community. Following the war appreciation of Judo and Karate grew among the entire community and several clubs were formed. This appreciation and high levels of participation have made Lethbridge the breeding grounds for some of the most successful national and international competitors in the sport. People such as Lethbridge's Joe Meli have competed in international competitions while under the tutelege of internationally recognized trainer Yosh Senda. The Lethbridge Judo Club today operates with great popularity out of the University of Lethbridge.

This is a Kendo Glove worn when participating in the sport of Kendo

Lethbridge entertainment illustrates much of what has changed about Lethbridge and also what has remained the same.The trend in sports from amateurism to professionalism and also from participant to spectator show change, while the 4-H clubs expose the city's rural roots and the unchanging nature of those organizations. How Lethbridgians entertain themselves continues to reflect the city's changing nature until today.