This past weekend, over 70 athletes represented Western Australia at the 2025 Australian National Judo Championships, with around 116 individual entries across three full days of competition. The event kicked off on Day 1 with Kata, Veterans, and Veteran Kyu Grades; Day 2 featured Cadet, Junior, and Senior athletes; and Day 3 concluded with Senior Kyu Grades, Under 13s, and Under 15s.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Western Australia was crowned Champion State, finishing first overall in the medal tally – a huge achievement and a reflection of the depth and strength of our judo community.

Day 1: Veterans and Kata

The 2025 National Championships opened with the Kata competition. WA was represented by a single pair – brothers Alexander Roth (tori) and Cesare Roth (uke) – who took to the tatami for the first time in the Junior Nage-No-Kata. While they didn’t place this year, it was incredibly encouraging to see such young judoka take an interest in kata competition. Their participation lays promising groundwork for the future of kata in Western Australia.

Following the kata competition, our WA veterans made a powerful statement to open the weekend, collecting 10 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

Among the Veterans divisions, National Champions were Benjamin Agurto Vilches (M4 -73 kg), Giulioantonio Gerace (M1 -73 kg), David Herson (M1 -60 kg), Ian Ludgero (M3 -100kg), Martin O’Dea (M5 -73 kg), Krystal Thompson (F4 -63 kg), and Isabell Richardson (F2 -78 kg). Silver medals went to Andrew Tiet (M1 -73kg), Clement Chan (M3 -73 kg), Collin Kerr (M3 -90 kg), Brendon Shanahan (M7 -81 kg), and Andrew Tiet (M1 -73 kg). Hugo Polankai (M2 -90 kg) and Luciano Danessa (M4 -66kg) both earned bronze medals.

In the Veteran Kyu Grades, gold medals were won by Ian Ludgero (M2 Kyu -100 kg), Isabell Richardson (F2 Kyu -70 kg), and Andrew Tiet (M1 Kyu -73 kg). Luciano Danessa (M6 Kyu -73 kg) picked up a silver medal.

Day 2: Cadet, Junior, and Senior Divisions

Continuing the trend of excellence, our athletes added another 12 gold, 5 silver, and 7 bronze medals on Day 2.

In the Cadet division, Mia Siboni (Cadet Women -52kg) was our sole National Champion. Lena Wolak (Cadet Women -48 kg) secured a silver medal, while Kaian Kelly (Cadet Men -60 kg), Noa Langhi (Cadet Men -66 kg), and Jolie Reutens (Cadet Women -63 kg) each earned bronze.

Among the Juniors, our National Champions were Estela Hogarth (Junior Women -63 kg), Maelie Tournier (Junior Women -52 kg), Vas Middleton (Junior Men -66 kg), Keishin Ochi (Junior Men -81 kg), Kohsei Toyoshima (Junior Men -73 kg), and Lucas Vladich-McKenzie (Junior Men -100 kg). O’ren Kelly (Junior Women -52kg) secured silver, whilst Timeo Tournier (Junior Men -66 kg) picked up a bronze medal.

In the Senior division, gold medalists were Ana Flavia Ajuz Ferreira (Senior Women -57 kg), Saya Middleton (Senior Women -70 kg), Vas Middleton (Senior Men -66 kg), Keishin Ochi (Senior Men -81 kg), and Jordon Greenbank (Senior Men -73 kg). Silver medals were awarded to Estela Hogarth (Senior Women -63 kg), Oren Kelly (Senior Women -52 kg), and Kohsei Toyoshima (Senior Men -73 kg). Bronze medals were won by Olivia Knights (Senior Women -57 kg), Patrick Tichelaar (Senior Men -90 kg), Maelie Tournier (Senior Women -52 kg), and Oren Kelly again (Senior Women -52 kg).

Day 3: Senior Kyu Grades, U13s & U15s

The final day saw another 11 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze medals added to our tally.

In the Senior Kyu Grades, gold medals were claimed by Nytalia McCracken (Senior Female Kyu -63 kg) and Alexander Vasilyev (Senior Male Kyu -81 kg). Silver medals went to David Herson (Senior Male Kyu -60 kg) and Warrick Pedley (Senior Male Kyu -73 kg), while Hugh McCormack (Senior Male Kyu -90 kg), Kelechi Nmeni (Senior Male Kyu -73 kg), and Isabell Richardson (Senior Female Kyu -70 kg) each secured bronze.

Among our Under 13s, Leonardo Becocci (U13 Boys U49 kg), Leilah Lavea (U13 Girls U45 kg), and Sakura Ochi (U13 Girls U50 kg & U56 kg) were crowned National Champions. Catalina Agurto earned silver in both the U13 Girls U50 kg and U56 kg divisions, while Kenzie Pedley (U13 Girls U56 kg) claimed bronze.

In the Under 15 divisions, gold medals went to Isaac Chinchilla (U15 Boys U66 kg), Kayla Nae (U15 Girls O63 kg), Zechariah Navea (U15 Boys U55 kg), Cesare Roth (U15 Boys U40 kg), and Mia Siboni (U15 Girls U52 kg). Joshua Coetzee (U15 Boys U40 kg), Jake Eduardo (U15 Boys U66 kg), and Chloe Tournier (U15 Girls U57 kg) all secured silver. Carter Brady (U15 Boys U45 kg) earned a bronze medal to round out the division’s results.

Overall Performance

Team WA delivered an unforgettable performance at the 2025 Australian National Judo Championships, finishing as the Champion State. With 32 gold, 17 silver, and 14 bronze medals, Western Australia led the national tally in gold medals and total medal count – a monumental milestone for our judo community.

While these numbers are cause for celebration, they don’t tell the full story. Many of our athletes placed just outside the medals, finishing 5th or 7th after fierce, closely contested matches. Their performances exemplify courage, growth, and sportsmanship. Whether they returned home with a medal or not, every WA athlete who stepped onto the mat contributed to this incredible campaign, representing their state with heart and determination.

Jacob Read, CEO of Judo WA, reflected on the significance of the team’s performance:

“These results reflect the sheer hard work of our athletes, the dedication of our coaches, and the strength of our clubs. WA continues to prove itself as a national powerhouse in performance judo – but more than that, it shows how close-knit our community is. We really are one judo family here in WA, and that spirit shines through in everything we do.”

Official event photography is available via RC Sport Photography, and full results can be accessed through the Judo Manager Portal.

We extend our deepest thanks to Judo Australia for delivering a professionally run national championship and to Judo Queensland for once again being outstanding hosts. Their months of preparation and the work of countless volunteers made this event possible.

Special appreciation goes to our dedicated State Coach & Management team: Catia Maia and Kouta Nagamura (Head State Coaches), Luc Tournier, John Commerford, and Jacob Lekias (Assistant State Coaches), and Melissa Dennehy (State Manager). Their commitment and efforts in preparing our athletes, managing logistics, and providing support to our athletes have been instrumental in achieving these outstanding results.

Congratulations again to every athlete, coach, parent, club, and supporter – the entire WA judo family – for being part of this historic result.