The 2026 Oceania Championships concluded on Sunday at the MSAC Arena in Melbourne, Australia, bringing three days of judo competition to a close.
After Friday’s kata competition and Saturday’s cadet and junior events, Day 3 saw the senior athletes take to the tatami, with 71 athletes from 10 countries competing across the senior individual divisions.
The final day showcased a strong level of judo from across the Oceania region, with athletes representing Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Guam, Kiribati, Samoa and Vanuatu.
Australia finished on top of the senior medal table with 13 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze, followed by New Zealand with 4 silver and 10 bronze. French Polynesia also delivered a strong performance, recording 2 silver, 3 bronze and 3 fifth-place finishes, while New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga and Guam also featured on the final standings.
Senior Individual Results
In the Men -60kg division, Australia’s Carlos Antun Neto claimed gold, with Lukas Chene of French Polynesia taking silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Hayden Brosius of New Zealand and Gensric Sakiman of New Caledonia.
In the Men -66kg division, Australia secured the top two places, with Vas Middleton winning gold and Time Tournier taking silver. New Zealand’s Dylan Payne and Tatalong Hannarong claimed bronze.
In the Men -73kg division, Australia’s Kohsei Toyoshima won gold, ahead of New Zealand’s Joel Robinson in silver. French Polynesia’s Kerian Vasapolli claimed bronze, while Nathan Meyer of Guam finished fifth.
In the Men -81kg division, Australia’s Keishin Ochi took gold, with Vincent Burani of New Caledonia winning silver. Bronze was awarded to Touani Lucas of French Polynesia, with New Caledonia’s Sam Thirion finishing fifth.
In the Men -90kg division, Australia’s Danny Vojnikovich won gold, New Zealand’s Noah Wallis took silver, and New Zealand’s Elliott Connolly claimed bronze.
In the Men -100kg division, Australia again secured gold and silver, with Axel Nightingale finishing first and Jack Rigby second. Bronze medals were awarded to Matthew Rowley of New Zealand and Jeremy Picard of French Polynesia.
In the Men +100kg division, Australia’s Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi won gold, with Gerard Takayawa of Fiji taking silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Kody Andrews of New Zealand and Paula Monta of Tonga.
In the Women -48kg division, Australia’s Abbey Cook won gold.
In the Women -52kg division, Australia’s Tinka Easton claimed gold, with New Zealand’s Ria Iney taking silver.
In the Women -57kg division, Australia’s Lisa Caravello won gold, with fellow Australian Oren Kelly taking silver. New Zealand’s Siobhan Joyce and Robert Griffiths claimed bronze.
In the Women -63kg division, Australia’s Maeve Coughlan won gold, with Teremautaini Bopp of French Polynesia taking silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Australia’s Saya Middleton and New Zealand’s Qona Christie.
In the Women -70kg division, Australia’s Aofie Coughlan claimed gold, ahead of New Zealand’s Moira De Villiers in silver. Bronze medals were awarded to New Zealand’s Ella Kelso and Fiji’s Nathalyn Takayawa.
In the Women -78kg division, Australia’s Maria Swan won gold, with fellow Australian Hannah Bradbury taking silver. New Caledonia’s Ashley Suta Ditsaponia claimed bronze.
Senior Mixed Team Competition
Following the senior individual events, attention turned to the Senior Mixed Team competition, which brought additional energy and excitement to the final day.
In the semi-finals, Australia defeated New Caledonia 4–0, while New Zealand defeated French Polynesia 4–2 to secure their place in the final. French Polynesia then bounced back in the bronze medal contest, defeating New Caledonia 4–2 to claim third place.
The final saw Australia and New Zealand meet for the Senior Mixed Team title, with Australia producing a dominant performance to win 4–0 and be crowned the 2026 Senior Oceania Championships Mixed Team Champions.
Oceania Military & Police Team Championships
The day concluded with the Oceania Military & Police Team Championships, featuring two teams from Australia and a mixed Oceania team comprised of athletes from across other Oceanic countries.
In a fitting demonstration of regional unity, the Oceania Mixed Team went on to win gold, closing the championships with a strong spirit of collaboration and competition.
Across the three days of competition, the 2026 Oceania Championships brought together athletes, coaches, referees, officials, volunteers and supporters from throughout the region. From kata on Day 1, through to the cadet, junior, senior, mixed team, and Military & Police Team events, the championships provided an important platform for athletes across Oceania to test themselves and represent their countries.
The Oceania Judo Union congratulates all athletes who competed at the 2026 Oceania Championships and extends its thanks to the coaches, referees, officials, volunteers, event staff and organising partners who contributed to the successful delivery of the event.
OJU also acknowledges Judo Australia, Judo Victoria and all those involved in hosting the championships at the MSAC Arena in Melbourne.
The 2026 Oceania Championships concluded with a strong celebration of judo across the region and highlighted the continued growth, cooperation and competitive spirit of the Oceania judo community.