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Joe Meli

Judo Athlete — Inducted 1996

Joe Meli was one of Canada’s most accomplished judokas of his era, representing the country at the highest levels of international competition while also excelling in hockey.

Born March 20, 1956, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Meli earned his shodan (first-degree black belt) in judo at just 16 years of age. He quickly rose through the national ranks, capturing two Canadian Junior Championships and nine Canadian Senior Championships between 1973 and 1988.

Meli qualified to represent Canada at four Olympic Games — 1976, 1980, 1984, and 1988 — though Canada did not compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to the national boycott. He officially competed in three Summer Olympic Games: 1976 (Montreal), 1984 (Los Angeles), and 1988 (Seoul).

Internationally, he competed at three World Championships and five Pan American Games. At the 1979 Pan American Games, he earned a bronze medal in the men’s open division. At the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, where judo was featured as a demonstration sport, Meli won a silver medal in the 95 kg weight class.

Over his international career, he accumulated a total of three gold, six silver, and six bronze medals in international judo competition.

Remarkably, Meli also achieved success in hockey. During the 1975–76 season, he played for the Lethbridge Broncos of the Western Hockey League, scoring 47 points (19 goals) as a centre and right winger. In 1975, he was named Most Valuable Player while representing Alberta’s gold medal-winning hockey team at the Canada Games in Lethbridge.

Joe Meli is also a member of the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding multi-sport achievements.

Career Highlights & Honours

  • Shodan (Black Belt) at age 16
  • 2× Canadian Junior Champion
  • 9× Canadian Senior Champion (1973–1988)
  • Olympian — 1976, 1984, 1988
  • Qualified — 1980 Olympics (Canada boycott)
  • 3× World Championships Competitor
  • 5× Pan American Games Competitor
  • 1979 — Pan American Games Bronze Medal (Open Division)
  • 1986 — Commonwealth Games Silver Medal (95 kg)
  • 3 Gold, 6 Silver, 6 Bronze — International medals
  • 1975 — Canada Games Hockey MVP (Alberta Gold Medal Team)
  • 1975–76 — Lethbridge Broncos (WHL), 47 points
  • Member — Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame
  • 1996 — Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Inductee