The Mayor of Gold Coast, Tom Tate, has invited judoka from around Australia to enjoy his city to the fullest as they plan towards that crucial weekend in June: the Judo Australia National Championships taking place at Carrara from June 5-7.
Many will choose to stay longer to participate in the National Randori Camp on June 8-9, pushing the long weekend into a festival of judo, presented in partnership with Experience Gold Coast.
“What a coup, securing the 2026 national judo championships with one thousand of the best athletes coming here to test their skills,” Tom Tate said.
“Hosting these titles is part of our legacy ambitions leading into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics. The Coast will host judo in 2032 and these championships allow players, official and spectators to test our venue, six years out from 2032.”
Not only competitors but their families and judo fans come to Nationals to see the country’s top talent in action, from the current National team members and internationally ranked players, to the younger players who will continue to hone their judo for decades to come.
Mr Tate identified this as one of the most exciting elements of attending the National Championships.
“I encourage judo enthusiasts to be part of the 2026 championship as we discover tomorrow’s Olympians and Paralympians,” he concluded.
For Judo Australia’s leaders, the National Championship offers the opportunity to showcase the thrills and spills of judo in one of Australia’s most beautiful cities.
“Not only do we come together to share our love of the sport, but also to see our Judo values in action – respect, honesty, self-control, friendship, honour, courage, courtesy, humility – it’s all there, on and off the mat,” said Gareth Watkins, Judo Australia’s General Manager, Participation.
“Let’s show each other the respect and honour our sport deserves, and extend that to our hosts on the Gold Coast,” Gareth said.
For Maria Pekli, the General Manager of Performance and Pathways, the focus is firmly on seeing new talent emerge and watching senior players hone their skills.
“Most of our competitive judoka invest a lot of time and money travelling to events, but this is the one place where everyone comes together to see who is the best of the best,” she commented.
“It’s crucial for the development of our athletes that our best talent is here, but it’s also exciting for everyone to reconnect with their judo friends after they’re done being rivals on the mat!”
Judo Australia’s National Championships take place at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre from Friday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th, with the National Randori Camp following on Monday 8th and 9th.
Tickets will be available directly from Judo Australia, as well as at the venue on the day.
