Melbourne momentum: Australia turn home return into a gold rush at Oceania Championships

The Oceania Championships came back to home soil in Melbourne this weekend, and for the region it felt like a timely lift. The entry list was modest at 71 athletes, though slightly above what this continental event often draws. Once competition started, the story quickly became clear: Australia were in control, stacking up 13 gold medals and running away with the top spot on the medal table.

The tone was set early in men’s U60kg, where Pedro Carlos Antun Neto took the final against Lukas Chene of French Polynesia. New Zealand’s Hayden Brosius and New Caledonia’s Gensric Sakiman picked up bronze, a reminder that the wider Pacific is still building depth even when Australia are favourites.

On the women’s side, Abbey Cook collected U48kg gold unopposed. In U52kg, Tinka Easton added a second continental title by defeating New Zealand’s Ria Kney in the final, underlining how reliably she delivers at this level.

Australia’s dominance showed up most clearly in the number of all-host finals. Vas Middleton beat Timeo Tournier in men’s U66kg, and Lisa Caravello overcame Oren Kelly in women’s U57kg. Even there, New Zealand found moments to celebrate, taking both bronze medals in U57kg through Siobhan Voyce and Roberta Griffiths.

The heavier divisions stayed firmly in Australian hands. Danny Vojnikovich won U90kg against New Zealand’s Noah Walliss, while Axel Nightingale edged an all-Australian U100kg final over Jack Rigby. Among the standout names of the weekend, Aoife Coughlan claimed her fourth Oceania title in women’s U70kg, defeating Moira de Villiers of New Zealand when it mattered most.

Aoife Coughlan’s fourth title was one of the weekend’s defining moments.

Australia closed the championships on top, followed by New Zealand and French Polynesia. The overall level was still relatively modest, but the event’s return to Oceania soil delivered something important: real international experience for developing judoka across the Pacific.

Source: JudoInside