9 Sep 2018 10:35
Inside news
Australias Judo History: From Underdogs to Global Competitors
6 Mar 2025 13:45
IJF Gabriela Sabau / International Judo Federation
Given Australia’s rich and diverse population and culture, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that there is a growing judo community nationwide. Australia is a nation renowned for its love of sports. They often rank among the very best across many of them, with cricket, rugby, and swimming among just a few of those they have a history of excelling in.
Judo is a sport that has emerged as a popular activity for some Aussies. Indeed, while it isn’t as widely revered like other sports, the modern Japanese martial art has started to grow in popularity.
How has Australia’s judo scene grown?
According to an article written on the Judo Channel, judo was first introduced to Australia in 1906. However, the first club for the sport wasn’t created until 22 years later when it was opened in 1928. Since then, national organizations like Judo Australia (1952) have been in place to try to help promote and develop the sport as a full member sport of the Combat Institute of Australia (CombatAUS).
Events like the Olympic Games - especially when held in the country - have helped increase exposure, thus building a legacy with young athletes who decide to take up the sport after witnessing it in action. However, the first notable instance of a judoka from the country representing the country was at the 1968 Games when it was first introduced as a sport in Tokyo as an official event.
Theodore Boronovskis represented the country in the games and managed to win a bronze medal in the open-weight division. Since then, Australia has competed in each and every single judo event held at the Games. They’ve only managed to win two medals (including Boronovskis’ bronze) in their history, with Maria Pekli winning a bronze in 2000 at the Sydney Games when she was placed third in the women’s 57kg event. Her win will have amplified the sport across the country, as much of the younger generation would have been inspired by what they had seen her achieve.
Who has been representing Australia in judo?
As mentioned, judo hasn’t particularly been a sport that Australia has excelled at in terms of medals at the Olympic Games. It’s perhaps why they’ve been considered underdogs in most events over the years and why they haven’t been taken too seriously as challengers.
However, that might be about to change, especially as the sport continues to enjoy a positive transformation across the nation. Individuals like Boronovskis and Pekli may have been more successful if they were able to benefit from the same training programs and focus that today’s athletes are receiving.
Daniel Kelly is perhaps the most famous judoka to have originated from Australia. The Melbourne native represented his country at four Olympic Games between 2000 and 2012 at three different weights. His most successful appearance was at the 2004 games in Athens, where he placed 7th in the ~90kg category. After his judoka days ended, he went into the UFC in 2014 until 2018, after a brief time in MMA fighting before focusing on his judo.
At the 2024 Paris Games, Australia had Katharina Haecker (third games - finished 17th ~63kg event), Joshua Katz (second games - reached the last 32 in the ~60kg event), and Aoife Coughlan (second games - reached the last 16 in the ~70kg event). Aoife Coughlan recently showed her winning skills in Austria taking gold. Bettors will have identified each of them last summer, especially as the Olympic Games can attract many due to the wagering opportunities available.
Many like to use the best gambling sites available as it’s an activity that can help enhance the entertainment they receive from the events that take place. With the Olympics shining a bright light on sports that aren’t given the same attention all year as mainstream activities, the judo event is one that can often appeal due to the Australians who compete.
Of course, while they didn’t end the hunt for another medal, there will be interest in the odds released regarding Aussies competing in the discipline at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. It’ll be interesting to see if any of the trio return or if new faces will be heading to California to try their luck and turn the country into a global competitor.
What is Australia doing to transform judo today?
It’s easy to see that Australia has started taking the sport more seriously. As per a report published by Sport AUS, judo enjoyed a huge period of transformation between 2015 and 2019. They noted how Judo Australia is now a “highly effective and capable national sporting organization which is delivering outstanding outcomes both on and off the mat.”
The case study also revealed how it is self-sufficient, having managed to reduce the deficit in finances that it had been experiencing, reducing the reliance on government finances, and the launch of several initiatives. This has included ‘No Limits Judo’ and a ‘National School Championships’ event.
These improvements and initiatives have helped Australia to grow the sport nationally, allowing it to be competitive and compete across various competitions globally. The ability levels of the judoka representing them have taken them from underdogs to global competitors.
Australia’s future in global judo competition
It’ll be interesting to watch the sport grow further in the future. Whether Australia can add to the two bronze medals they have at the Olympics will remain questionable.
However, as the country continues to invest in the sport and enjoy a transformation nationwide, perhaps it’s something that isn’t too far away as today’s judokas have a better chance than some of their predecessors.
Courtesy to Charlon Muscat
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