The 2022 Judo Australia National Championships get underway this weekend with nearly 1,000 registrants hitting the mat.
After more than 2 years, Judo Australia is hosting a National Championships that will see participants from every State and Territory converging upon the Gold Coast to test their strength and skills to see who the best judoka in Australia is.
Nearly 1,000 entries across fifteen divisions and more than 35 weight categories were received, returning the competition back to pre-Covid levels for the first time since the pandemic landed in Australia in 2020.
Judo Australia Chair, Simon Read, said: "The past two years of uncertainty and interruption were a challenge, but judo is now back on track and what an exciting start to 2022 we have had. With three successful International Opens and numerous State Championships setting the scene for what is certain to be an enjoyable and energetic National Championship."
This years Nationals is once again being held at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, the venue that will play host to the judo competition at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. Thanks, in large part, to Judo Australia's partnership with the City of Gold Coast and Major Events Gold Coast, our judoka will truly have the home mat advantage in 2032. City of Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, said: "I am thrilled to welcome Judo Australia and the nation’s best judokas back to the Gold Coast for what will be one of the largest ever judo national championship events.”
“With almost 1000 competitors plus friends, family and spectators descending on the Gold Coast for four days, this event brings significant economic outcomes for our city
Competition is set to start at 1:30pm AEST on Friday, June 10th with the Kata competition. More than 60 judokas, from seven States and Territories, will compete across six divisions with the winners potentially heading to the World Kata Championships in Krakow, Poland in September.
On Saturday, June 11th, the competition shifts to the Junior and Senior Boys and Girls competitions with the Juniors starting the day off at 8:30am AEST. Over 100 athletes will take to the mat in what will be the first major competition for many of the participants in this division. Following on for this will see the Seniors in action with nearly 130 competitors vying for gold across the 18 weight categories.
The marquee event is scheduled for Sunday, June 12th when the Cadets, Junior and Senior competitions get underway with the Cadets up first at 8:30am AEST. The bright starts of tomorrow will be on full display as many of the competitors will be hoping to produce a results that they can replicate in 10-years time in the same venue at Brisbane 2032. Following the Cadets will be the Junior division and will feature the best judokas who are emerging onto the national scene and will likely represent Australia in Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. The final competition of the day will see the Seniors take centre stage as they showcase and highlight the best of our sport in Australia. Nearly every member of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games squad will be in action in what is sure to be a spectacle of world class judo.
Monday, June 13th is the final day of competition with the Kyu Grades and No Limits competitions starting things off at 8:30am AEST. Kyu Grades allow judokas an opportunity to compete against others within their own belt rank and No Limits will showcase our amazing para-judoka as they put on a display that will highlight the art, skill, beauty and passion that our sport personifies. To close out the Nationals, the Veterans competition will see competitors ranging in age from 31 to 63-years-old step onto the mat to show that they still have what it takes to be a National Champion.
Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday competition are still on sale through the ticketing provider, Gold Coast Tickets: https://bit.ly/3O6kvYc Prices for a 2-day pass are only $60 for an Adult; $40 for a Concession/Senior and $30 for Juniors aged 6 to 18 years. A single day pass is $35 for an Adult; 25 for a Concession/Senior and $20 for Juniors aged 6 to 18 years. All children under 6-years-old may enter the venue free of charge and without proof of any ticket.
If you are unable to make it to the Gold Coast this weekend, the entire event will be live streamed through our media and broadcasting partnerships, News Corp Australia and Sport4. Late last week, Judo Australia announced a partnership with News Corp Australia to provide a live and exclusive live stream of Day 2, 3 and 4 on Kommunity TV, the new home for News Corp Australia's sports broadcasting. This will be provided by Sport4, a broadcasting company who will be in charge of streaming all of the action, live with commentary. Judo Australia CEO, Emma Taylor, said: “Engaging with Sport4 as our Broadcast Partner for this years National Championship is an exciting step to deliver a professional broadcast which showcases our premier event. We hope everyone enjoys the quality production as they watch their daughters, sons, grandchildren, cousins or friends do their best in the pursuit if a national title. I look forward to working with Sport4, who are elevating the way sports broadcasting is delivered.”
Those hoping to catch all the action will need to subscribe to News Corp Australia with a special introductory offer to Judo Australia fans for only $1 a week for the first 12 weeks of your subscription. The Kata competition on Day 1 will be streamed on Judo Australia's Facebook page as a live event.
The stage is now set, mats are down and competitors are arriving by the minute to prepare for what is going to be an amazing weekend of great judo action. This is Judo Australia - this is The Nationals!
The Judo Australia National Championships is proudly supported by Major Events Gold Coast.
