Thirty-one athletes from nine Oceania Judo Union member nations will compete on the raised platform of the SEC Arena. Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu all have athletes who have been planning and training for this unique event; many of them have serious claims in play for medals.
Athletes from Oceania are entered in 13 of the 14 individual weight categories, including Australian representation from defending Commonwealth champions Aoife Coughlan (-70 kg) and Tinka Easton (-52). They return after winning gold in Birmingham in 2022. It should also be noted that Coughlan is the highest ranked athlete of the whole tournament as the current world number 2. She will be hard to beat!
World Judo Tour medalist Sydnee Andrews (NZL) will be in action on day 3, looking to improve on her 2022 +78 kg Commonwealth bronze. Two of her teammates are also returning after taking medals in 2022: Kody Andrews (+100kg) and Moira de Villiers (-70 kg).
It is exciting to have so many Pacific island nations competing too, many of whom have not experienced such a high level before. Several are enjoying a multi-sport Games for the first time too, increasing the overall experience and knowledge for the whole region. There is a legacy being formed in Glasgow that is poised to impact Oceanian judo, an important period that will undoubtedly bear fruit on the World Judo Tour in the future.
OJU President Kate Corkery is proud of all nine Oceanian delegations, “For many judoka from Oceania, the Commonwealth Games represents the chance to stand on the world stage and show that talent can come from even the smallest island nation. It creates belief, builds pride and shows our athletes that they belong among the world’s best.
When our athletes compete here, they carry their families, clubs and communities with them. Their courage inspires young people to dream bigger, take up judo and believe that where they come from does not limit where they can go.”
Ten Oceanian judoka are in play on day one in Glasgow, 14 on day 2 and 7 on day 3. All draws and judoka information can be found on JudoTV.