ACT Judokas Represent at National Championships on the Gold Coast

The Judo Australia National Championships returned to the Gold Coast earlier this month, bringing together the best judoka from across the country for four days of intense competition, big throws and inspiring performances. ACT athletes once again showed that our small territory can produce big results, stepping onto the tatami with determination, team spirit and a clear focus on representing Judo ACT with pride.

From Under 13s through to Cadets, Juniors, Seniors and Veterans, our ACT squad took on strong opposition from every state and territory. Across the weekend, our players delivered some excellent judo—hard‑fought contests, clever tactics in newaza, and plenty of classic scoring techniques that drew loud support from teammates and families matside.

Road to Nationals – teamwork on and off the mat

This year’s Nationals campaign built on months of preparation through the Judo ACT State Squad program, with targeted training sessions at clubs including Beyond Grappling, Ni-Bonchi, High Rollers and other member dojos. Athletes and coaches committed weekends to sharpening competition skills, drilling transitions and preparing for the depth of talent they would meet on the Gold Coast.

A huge thank you goes to all our coaches, managers, referees and volunteers who supported the squad—both in the lead‑up sessions and throughout the event itself. Their time in the coaches’ chairs, behind the scenes with logistics, and matside with encouragement made a real difference to our athletes’ performances.

Strong performances across all age divisions

ACT judoka competed across a wide spread of age and weight categories, from our emerging Under 13 competitors having their first taste of Nationals right through to seasoned Veterans who have been flying the flag for many years. Throughout the weekend there were many standout matches: decisive ippon throws, tactical golden‑score battles, and gutsy comebacks where our athletes refused to give up.

Across the divisions, ACT athletes earned valuable wins, stepped onto the podium in several categories, and gained crucial experience against some of Australia’s top judoka. Even in the toughest contests, our players showed strong ukemi, good etiquette and the kind of fighting spirit that reflects well on their clubs and the Territory.

More than medals – experience, resilience and growth

While medal tallies are always exciting, the real story for ACT at Nationals is the development of our judoka. For many younger athletes, this was their first time on a national stage, competing under bright lights in a large multi‑mat venue and learning how to manage nerves, warm‑ups and multi‑day schedules.

Older and more experienced squad members set a great example, helping younger players with preparation, advice and support between bouts. The friendships, shared experiences and resilience built over a long Nationals weekend will carry back into club training and future competitions throughout the year.

Thank you to our ACT community

Judo ACT would like to thank everyone who helped make this Nationals campaign possible—athletes, parents, coaches, referees, volunteers, and our club network across the Territory. Your commitment to training, travelling and supporting each other ensures that ACT is consistently represented with professionalism and heart at major national events.

We also acknowledge Judo Australia and Major Events Gold Coast for staging another high‑quality Championships at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre, giving our judoka a chance to test themselves against the best from around the country. It’s an important stepping stone for future national squads, international campaigns and, for some, long‑term pathways towards Oceania and Olympic representation.

Looking ahead

Nationals may be over for another year, but the work continues back home in Canberra. State Squad sessions, local competitions and club randori will help consolidate everything learned on the Gold Coast, and we’re excited to see how this experience lifts the standard across all age groups.

Congratulations once again to every ACT judoka who stepped onto the mat at Nationals, and thank you to the families and supporters who cheered them on throughout the event. We’re proud of the way you represented Judo ACT—on and off the tatami—and we’re already looking forward to seeing the Territory back on the national stage next year.