Mandurah again became the centre of international judo in Oceania as 167 athletes from 20 nations and territories came together for the 2026 Mandurah Oceania Open & Cup.
Held at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre on 2–3 May, the event featured two days of competition across the Senior, Cadet and Junior age groups and welcomed athletes, coaches, referees, officials and supporters from around the world to Western Australia.
The weekend opened with 73 senior athletes from 15 countries contesting the Mandurah Oceania Open. The Cadet and Junior Oceania Cups followed on Day 2, featuring 41 cadets from seven countries and 53 juniors from nine countries.
Across the three competitions, athletes represented Oceania, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, reinforcing the event’s position as an important international competition opportunity within the region.
International Competition in Western Australia
The Mandurah Oceania Open provided senior athletes with an opportunity to compete for IJF world ranking points, while the Cadet and Junior Cups gave emerging competitors valuable exposure to international opposition.
Great Britain topped the senior medal table ahead of Australia and Indonesia. Australia then produced a strong second day, finishing first in both the Cadet and Junior medal standings.
Western Australian athletes had the rare opportunity to compete internationally on home soil. Keishin Ochi won the Senior Men’s under 81kg title for Australia on Day 1, while SouthWest Judo Academy’s Kayla Nae secured two gold medals on Day 2 across the Cadet Women’s over 70kg and Junior Women’s over 78kg divisions.
Beyond the results, the weekend created opportunities for local athletes, coaches, referees and volunteers to gain experience within an international event environment. It also allowed the WA judo community to welcome visiting delegations and build connections across the wider international judo family.
Mandurah Partnership Enters a New Three-Year Cycle
The 2026 event marked the beginning of a new three-year commitment to hosting the Oceania Open and Cup events in Mandurah.
Judo WA sincerely acknowledges the City of Mandurah for its ongoing partnership, support and belief in the event. This commitment enables Judo WA to continue building one of the region’s significant international judo tournaments while creating sporting, community and visitor activity in Mandurah.
Judo WA also thanks Visit Mandurah for helping promote the destination and welcome athletes, officials and supporters to the city. The event provides visiting delegations with an opportunity to experience Mandurah while showcasing the city to an international judo audience.
The Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre again provided an excellent home for the competition. Judo WA thanks the MARC team for its assistance before, during and after the event and for helping transform the venue into an international judo arena.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
An event of this scale is only possible because of the people working behind the scenes.
Around 50 volunteers supported the competition across the weekend, contributing to venue setup and pack-down, transport, accreditation, weigh-in, athlete marshalling, scoreboard operation, camera operation and livestreaming, medal ceremonies, event presentation, spectator services and many other essential tasks.
Some volunteers began their work well before the first contest and continued after the final medal had been presented. Others completed early-morning and late-night transport runs, supported visiting teams or stepped into additional roles whenever help was needed.
To every person who gave their time, energy and expertise: thank you. Your work brought the 2026 Mandurah Oceania Open & Cup to life and allowed athletes from around the world to enjoy a professionally delivered international event in Western Australia.
Referees, Officials and Event Partners
Judo WA extends its sincere appreciation to the referees who officiated throughout the weekend. Their professionalism, preparation and commitment ensured that athletes could compete in a fair and high-quality environment.
Judo WA also thanks the technical officials, competition management team, coaches, medical personnel, photographers, camera operators, announcers and everyone else who contributed their skills to the event.
The continued collaboration of Judo Australia, the Oceania Judo Union and the International Judo Federation is essential to delivering international competition in Western Australia. Judo WA thanks each organisation for its support and partnership.
Finally, thank you to the athletes, coaches, families and supporters who travelled to Mandurah, as well as the estimated 300 spectators who attended across the weekend. The atmosphere created around the tatami reflected the friendship, respect and shared passion that sit at the heart of judo.
Judo WA looks forward to welcoming the international judo community back to Mandurah in 2027.
View the full results on the IJF website or watch the competition replays on JudoTV.
