Judo has come a long way in this province since Mamoru “Moe” Oye learned his craft from Tamotsu (Tommy) Mutani in the RCMP barracks and YMCA back in the late ‘40’s. The giant strides Judo has taken from here to the national and international scene can be traced back, for the most part, to the gifted touch of Oye working at his club of 30-odd years at the University of Manitoba. He brings the same exuberance, talent and discipline to the executive board rooms, the craft of teaching and the art of coaching, as he did as a young competitive judokan 50 years ago.

Oye was a teaching coach with an uncanny ability to motivate, helping athletes develop an action plan. His success extended from the grass-roots level, through the developmental sphere and onto the national and international stage. Oye was quick to stay abreast of his sport, securing executive positions on the national and international levels while still working with athletes on the mats.

Oye has coached three Olympians - Mark Berger, bronze medallist ‘84 Los Angeles; Ewan Beaton, ‘92 Barcelona and ‘96 Atlanta; and Niki Jenkins, ‘96 Atlanta - and national team members like three-time junior champion Steve Oye and Kevin McIver.

Oye was a major player in the growth of judo throughout Winnipeg and across the province. He said one of the beautiful things about judo is that it is a lifetime sport, noting his former athletes work out with his club whenever they drop back into town or are around the university. Moe Oye exhibited remarkable qualities, donning the administrator’s suit, changing into teaching togs and switching to coaching gear. Judo Canada recognized these qualities when they inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1996.