The Manitoba Judo Hall of Fame saw a long-time Portage resident inducted on Sunday.

William Chiponski, better known to the community as Bill, was inducted as a builder during the ceremony.

Chiponski says it wasn't just important for him, but also the people who worked alongside him.

"It is something to be recognized for a position like that. The first thing you have to realize is, you didn't get there by yourself. You had a lot of people helping, you had people encouraging you, and those are the ones I wanted to thank."

He notes that he spent many years teaching the activity, starting in his late teens.

"I started judo when I was 17 at Southport, and I believe I taught for about 25 years. I've got a lot of good memories there."

Chiponski was a fourth-degree black belt, and competed twice in the Canadian Judo Championship, winning the bronze medal in his division, both in 1967 and 1968.

Bill Chiponski and his family at the dinner (Submitted photo)Bill Chiponski and his family at the dinner (Submitted photo)

He shares his favourite parts of his years with the club.

"I had an opportunity to teach many children and people that came to the club something they didn't know. You have to teach them right, so they don't hurt the other person when they throw them because falling is an art; Not just when you throw somebody. You got to hang on to them on one arm so he doesn't hit his head or this and that. Those are the big, big things: meeting people, making friends, traveling to go to competitions, things like that."

He added one story, with a smile, of a person who had joined the club.

"We had a man came to the club once; he was a senior, and he was a small man, and he was a piano tuner. He had a heart attack, and he went to his doctor, and he said to the doctor, 'I'd like to take judo. What do you think?' The doctor was a wise man and he said, 'Well, yes, judo would strengthen your heart, but just take it easy.' Well, he came out and if you could have had a camera on his face when he could throw the instructor down on the mat, it was really something to see."