Australia’s judokas for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games have been unveiled, with 11 athletes selected in a squad defined by a unique family thread alongside a blend of experience and debut talent.
Birmingham 2022 gold medallist Aoife Coughlan headlines the family storyline, returning to compete alongside her sister Maeve, while siblings Vas and Saya Middleton will also make their Commonwealth Games debuts together.
Reflecting on her return, Aoife Coughlan said Birmingham remains a defining memory, but her focus has already shifted to what lies ahead.
“Winning gold in Birmingham was a memorable moment in my career and I look forward to the opportunity to defend my title” Aoife Coughlan said.
“To be able to share this experience with Maeve makes it even more special.”
For Maeve Coughlan, selection marks the culmination of years of dedication and a chance to step into the international spotlight alongside someone who has helped shape her journey.
“I was in the crowd in 2022 when Aoife won, now I’ll get to compete alongside her in Glasgow. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of and I really look forward to,” Maeve Coughlan said.
Vas Middleton described the moment as one he and his sister have worked towards for years.
“It’s hard to put into words how much this means,” Vas Middleton said.
“Saya and I have been training partners for years, and to both make this team together is something really special.”
Saya Middleton echoed that sentiment, highlighting both pride and focus as she prepares for her first Games appearance.
“Representing Australia at a Commonwealth Games is something I’ve worked towards for a long time,” she said.
“Sharing that journey with Vas makes it even more meaningful, but I’m focused on performing my best.”
Adding further strength and experience to the squad is the reigning Commonwealth champion Tinka Easton, who returns as a leading contender and a proven performer on the international stage.
Easton said she is embracing the opportunity to defend her crown, while continuing to evolve as an athlete since her gold medal performance in Birmingham.
“Birmingham was an incredible experience and I’m incredibly excited to be selected for my second Commonwealth Games,” Easton said.
The team is rounded out by Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist Josh Katz, as well as Pedro Antun Neto, Keishin Ochi, Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi, Maria Swan and Danny Vojnikovich.
Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM OLY said the squad reflects both the strength of Australia’s judo program and the powerful personal stories within the squad.
“It’s an incredibly exciting team with a great blend of experience and debutants,” Thomas said.
“The family connections within this group are something really special, and they speak to the culture and support that exists within Australian Judo. This is a team that will proudly represent Australia in Glasgow.”
Judo Australia’s General Manager – Performance & Pathways, Maria Pekli, said the selection highlights the depth and continued growth of the program.
“This team is the result of years of consistent investment in our pathway and high-performance system,” Pekli said.
“To see athletes like Aoife return as champions, alongside new faces like Maeve, Vas and Saya stepping onto the Commonwealth Games stage together, shows the strength and sustainability of Australian Judo. We are incredibly proud of this group and excited for what they can achieve in Glasgow.”
The Team will head to Glasgow aiming to build on Australia’s strong judo performances at Birmingham 2022, where the program delivered standout results on the international stage.
AUSTRALIAN JUDO TEAM – GLASGOW 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
| Name | Event | Age | State | Commonwealth Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Antun Neto | Men’s 60kg | 35 | NSW | Debut |
| Aoife Coughlan | Women’s 70kg | 30 | VIC | Birmingham 2022 – gold medallist |
| Maeve Coughlan | Women’s 63kg | 27 | VIC | Debut |
| Tinka Easton | Women’s 52kg | 29 | VIC | Birmingham 2022 – gold medallist |
| Josh Katz | Men’s 60kg | 28 | NSW |
Birmingham 2022 – bronze medallist |
| Vas Middleton | Men’s 66kg | 20 | WA |
Debut |
| Saya Middleton | Women’s 63kg | 22 | WA | Debut |
| Keishin Ochi | Men’s 81kg | 20 | WA |
Debut |
| Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi | Men’s Over 100kg | 35 | NSW | Birmingham 2022 |
| Maria Swan | Women’s 78kg | 23 | WA | Debut |
| Danny Vojnikovich | Men’s 90kg | 22 | VIC | Debut |
Judo has been included on the Commonwealth Games sport program on four previous occasions:
Auckland 1990, Manchester 2002, Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The origins of the sport come from Japan, where the literal translation of the word ‘judo’ is ‘gentle way’.
Birmingham 2022 were the most successful Games for Australian judokas, winning two gold medals and eight bronze medals across the competition.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 2 August. Judo events will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), in the SEC Centre from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August.
