The 2026 Sydney International Open, part of Judo Australia’s National Event Series, was held at the Whitlam Leisure Centre from 20–22 February 2026. Following the 2026 Canberra International Open, Team WA once again stepped onto the national stage and produced another strong set of performances against high-quality competition from across the country.

With 19 WA athletes competing across 23 divisions, WA secured an excellent medal haul of 9 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals — a great reflection of the depth of judo in Western Australia and the hard work being done across our clubs.

Gold Medalists

• Kohsei Toyoshima (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Men / -73 kg
• Keishin Ochi (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Men / -81 kg
• Angus Baird (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Men / -90 kg
• Kaian Kelly (UWA Judo Club) – Junior Men / -60 kg
• Zechariah Navea (Perth Judo Club) – Cadet Men / -55 kg
• Maelie Tournier (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Women / -52 kg
• Maelie Tournier (UWA Judo Club) – Junior Women / -52 kg
• Mia Siboni (Perth Judo Club) – Cadet Women / -52 kg
• Carter Brady (Kano Judo Schools) – U15 Boys / U50 kg

Silver Medalists

• Timeo Tournier (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Men / -66 kg
• Alexander Vasilyev (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Men / -81 kg
• Oren Kelly (UWA Judo Club) – Junior Women / -57 kg
• Leilah Lavea (Perth Judo Club) – U15 Girls / U48 kg

Bronze Medalists

• Jacob Read (SouthWest Judo Academy) – Senior Men / -60 kg
• Olivia Knights (SouthWest Judo Academy) – Junior Women / -57 kg
• Ryan Chu (UWA Judo Club) – Veteran Men M1 to M8 / -73 kg

Many WA athletes also put in strong performances but finished just outside the medals, taking valuable experience from a tough weekend of competition:

• Kaian Kelly (UWA Judo Club) – Cadet Men / -60 kg (5th)
• Hugo Polankai (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Men / -90 kg (5th)
• Oliver Hogarth (UWA Judo Club) – Junior Men / -60 kg (7th)
• Oliver Hogarth (UWA Judo Club) – Cadet Men / -60 kg (7th)
• Ryan Chu (UWA Judo Club) – Senior Men / -73 kg (Unplaced)
• Danny Wong (UWA Judo Club) – Veteran Men M1 to M8 / -66 kg (Unplaced)
• Zechariah Navea (Perth Judo Club) – Junior Men / -60 kg (Unplaced)
• Lena Wolak (Perth Judo Club) – Junior Women / -48 kg (Unplaced)
• Lena Wolak (Perth Judo Club) – Cadet Women / -48 kg (Unplaced)

Judo WA would also like to acknowledge the contribution of our WA referees who were appointed to officiate throughout the event. A big thank you to Celeste Knoester (Kano Judo Schools), Patrick Tichelaar (Judo Ryu Western Australia), and Jonathan Richetti (Australian Institute of Judo) for representing WA with professionalism and helping ensure the tournament ran smoothly across the three days.

With the Sydney International Open now complete, WA athletes and clubs will shift focus to the next major events on the calendar. The Fuel to Go & Play Judo WA State Championships will be held on Sunday, 29 March, followed shortly after by the 2026 Melbourne International Open in early April.

Congratulations to all WA athletes, coaches, referees, and supporters for another fantastic showing on the national stage.