Western Australia featured prominently at one of judo’s most prestigious international events, the 2025 Tokyo Grand Slam, held in Tokyo, Japan from 6–7 December 2025, with WA representation spanning both elite competition and international officiating.
Maria Swan (UWA Judo Club) was the sole Western Australian athlete selected to represent Australia, competing in the Women’s –78kg division. Drawn against Israel’s Inbar Lanir in the Round of 16, Maria faced a formidable opponent in her opening contest. Despite a committed performance, Maria was defeated by ippon and eliminated in the opening round. Competing at Grand Slam level remains a significant milestone, reflecting Maria’s continued progression within the Australian high-performance pathway and her ability to perform on judo’s biggest stages.
WA’s presence remained strong on the tatami beyond athlete competition, with two of the state’s most respected officials playing key roles throughout the event. Celeste Knoester, former Judo WA Director and coach at Kano Judo Schools, attended her first IJF Grand Slam as a referee after successfully attaining her IJF International Referee Licence in June 2025. Celeste delivered a standout performance across the weekend, earning appointments in the final blocks on both Day 1 and Day 2—an outstanding achievement at this level and a strong endorsement of her capability on the international circuit.
Adding further prestige to WA’s involvement, Carlo Knoester, former President of Judo WA and Head Coach at Kano Judo Schools, served as an IJF Referee Supervisor at the Tokyo Grand Slam. A highly respected figure within the international judo community, Carlo has attended four Olympic Games in various roles as an IJF referee and commissioner, bringing extensive experience and leadership to one of the sport’s flagship events.
The 2025 Tokyo Grand Slam once again highlighted the strength of Western Australia’s contribution to judo, not only through athlete representation but also through the continued excellence of its officials on the global stage.
Full results from the event are available via JudoTV: https://judotv.com/competitions/gs_jpn2025/overview