Quick facts

Birthdate

August 22, 1973

Hometown

Ottawa, ON

Residence

Ottawa, ON

Sport

Para judo

Experience

Guadalajara 2011

Rio 2016

Toronto 2015

Tony Walby retired from competitive sport after the 2016 Paralympic Games. In December 2018, he was elected chair of the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Athletes’ Council on a platform to continue to build the council’s influence in the Canadian sport system.

Taking up judo at the age of seven, Walby fought alongside sighted athletes into his mid-thirties despite the effects of cone dystrophy, a deteriorating genetic condition. For 16 years, Walby was a member of the national able-bodied judo team. In his last year of competition, he earned the title of national heavyweight champion.

Walby retired from able-bodied sport at age 35, around the same time he was declared legally blind. A 12-time Senior National Medalist in sighted judo, Walby quickly excelled in visually-impaired judo, taking two gold medals at the 2010 Parapan American Championships.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games… 2011 and 2015 Parapan American Games…

PERSONAL

A family man, Walby cites his children as his ultimate success and expresses admiration for his parents and the support they offered throughout his athletic career. He works as a computer engineer with the Correctional Service of Canada..

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

  • 2016 Paralympic Games 90 kg 9th
  • 2016 IBSA British Grand Prix 90 kg 5th
  • 2016 IBSA German World Cup 90 kg 3rd
  • 2016 IBSA Brazil World Cup 90 kg 3rd
  • 2015 Parapan American Games 90 kg 4th
  • 2014 World Championships 90 kg 7th
  • 2012 Paralympic Games +100 kg 7th
  • 2011 Parapan American Games +100 kg 3rd