Sensei Owed, known publicly as Tony and Rich to his family and close friends, devoted his entire adult life to the promotion of Judo and Judo students. His accomplishments as a coach and teacher are quite apparent when viewing his students’ Kata championships ranging from 1972 through 2019 and hopefully beyond. His Shiai competitors won numerous championships from the 1960’s to the present: his first students, Jesse Mosqueda and James Bollin, and many more, continue to contribute to the judo community through six decades.

He graduated from the former DeVilbiss High School in 1955 where he was active in sports and competed in Greco Roman Wrestling. He began learning Judo at the old Central YMCA in downtown Toledo; during his four years in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960, he was stationed in Japan where he would take a two hour train ride to attend the Kodokon Judo Institute and then a two hour return ride.

His instructors included Sensei Sumiyuki Kotani, Kudan (9th Dan and eventually Judan, 10th Dan) Chief Instructor of the Kodokon International Division, Sensei Tadao Otaki, Hachidan (8th Dan) Instructor of the Kodokon International Division, and Sensei Donn Draeger, Instructor of the Kodokon International Division and esteemed author who also befriended and mentored Sensei Owed. Occasional guest instructors included Sensei Toshiro Daiga and Sensei Isao Inokuma, both All Japan Champions. He returned to the States having been promoted to Shodan in 1959 and Nidan in 1960. He would eventually be promoted to 7th Dan.

copyright John Engler

He began to teach at the Toledo Central YMCA and would eventually travel around town at his own expense to every branch of the YMCAs, the Boy’s Club of Toledo, Riverside Hospital, and anywhere someone would request a demonstration. With a core group of loyal students always ready to Randori at a moment’s notice, the old canvas horse hair mats and vinyl covers at each location would have to be un-stacked and patched together into something resembling a lumpy mat and he would begin his classes like all Judo has traditionally been taught; stretching and warm-up, ukemi, and uchikomis. His students, weak and strong alike, were patiently shown the beginning techniques, and if motivated, could go on to become successful Regional, National and International competitors. They were also instilled to respect others, practice self discipline, the understanding of right and wrong, and of course to never give up.

Though his competitive career in Judo was over in the 1970’s, it nevertheless stands up to history as a strong one. He actively participated in State, Regional, and National events and won numerous championships. He won First Place in the 11th Annual Midwestern A.A.U. Judo Championship. In the 13th Midwestern Championship, he defeated the enormous Canadian lumberjack Nick Bleyandahl with Tai-otoshi for two Waza Aris as depicted in the iconic Black Belt Magazine photo and received the “Best Player” Award. Sensei Owed would represent Konan Yudanshakai in nine Senior United States National A.A.U. Judo Championships and two Olympic trials, 1964 and 1972. He placed 4th in the 1964 Trials held at the New York World’s Fair, the first time Judo would be an Olympic sport. Tony remained lifelong friends with fellow competitors including Koji Oshima, Jim Jarvis, Dean Tower, Charlie Hooks, Frank Herzog, Les Fazekas, and countless others.

Sensei Owed was very thankful for the mentoring from Sensei John Osako; the Toledo Judo people enjoyed a long association with Osako Sensei’s Detroit Judo Club and for a few years Tony operated the Toledo Judo Club as a non-profit organization while still teaching at area YMCA branches. When Sensei Ryozo Nakamura visited Toledo, he was a welcomed guest in the Owed home. He was very fond of Sensei Keiko Fukuda; she spent considerable time with him which of course he translated into success for his kata competitors.

copyright John Engler

To pursue a rounded knowledge of physical education and athletics in general, in 1970 Sensei Owed enrolled at the University of Toledo earning a Bachelor of Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Physical Education. At the University beginning in 1975 and into his retirement, he taught Judo, self defense classes, and coached the University of Toledo Judo Club. Growing up with two brothers and a sister he had a warm home life and although he never married, he did love the family gatherings with many nieces and nephews. He was most at home on the mat and the Judo world was his extended family. – A very big family.