High Rollers Canberra’s kids just had a dream run at the 2026 Judo Australia National Championships on the Gold Coast—three young competitors went up to represent ACT and our club, and all three came home as Australian National Champions.

High Rollers kids conquer Judo Nationals

Over the King’s Birthday long weekend, the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre in Carrara hosted the 2026 Judo Australia National Championships, with judoka from every state and territory battling it out for national titles. Among them were three High Rollers Canberra juniors, proudly wearing both the ACT colours and the High Rollers patch on their judogi.

Across their divisions, our kids produced outstanding performances—smart gripping, confident throwing and committed groundwork—turning months of hard training in Mitchell into national‑level results. All three athletes finished their campaigns on the top step of the podium, each earning the title of 2026 Australian National Champion in their age and weight category.

Nationals results – three champions from three athletes

Our High Rollers Canberra results from the 2026 Judo Nationals:

• Aurelia – Under 15 Girls National Champion under 63 kg
• Chloe – Under 15 Girls National Champion under 44 kg
• Jaydn – Cadet Boys National Champion under 50 kg

Each of them fought through tough draws, adjusted to different styles of opponents and held their nerve in high‑pressure moments to secure their gold medals. Their performances are a huge credit to their work ethic, composure and commitment on the mats week after week.

From Mitchell mats to national champions

For these young judoka, Nationals wasn’t just another competition. It was the culmination of daily training, hard rounds, State Squad training, and countless nights on the High Rollers mats drilling throws, transitions and newaza. They stepped onto the Gold Coast tatami with a clear game plan, trusted their judo and showed the kind of resilience and mat awareness that only comes from consistent work.

Seeing three out of three High Rollers competitors convert that preparation into national titles is an incredible achievement—both for the athletes themselves and for our growing Judo program in Canberra’s north. It sends a strong message that with the right environment, coaching and support, kids from a newer club can mix it with the best in Australia.

A huge thank you to parents, Sensei Tomomi, coaches and training partners

Results like this never happen in isolation. Behind every national champion is a village of people who quietly make it possible: parents driving to training and competitions, coaches planning sessions, and training partners pushing hard in randori.

A special thank you to Sensei Tomomi, whose technical guidance, high standards and calm support have been a huge part of helping these kids perform at their best. From refining competition strategies to spending extra time on the mats before and after class, her hard work has directly contributed to this outstanding result.

To all the High Rollers parents who juggled work, school, travel and costs to get the kids to Nationals—thank you. Your belief, encouragement and patience are a massive part of this success. To our wider Judo coaching team and everyone who jumped in for extra rounds, drills and mock competitions, we appreciate every minute you spent helping these kids get ready. And to our broader club community—BJJ and Judo alike—thanks for cheering them on, sending good luck messages and celebrating their wins. This is exactly what we mean when we talk about High Rollers being a family‑focused academy.

What this means for our Judo program

Bringing home three national titles from three High Rollers entrants is a huge milestone for our Judo program and a sign of where things are heading. It shows that the combination of technical Judo, strong fundamentals, and live, competition‑style randori we run in the gym is preparing kids for real success on the national stage.

More importantly, it shows our younger members what’s possible. The kids who trained alongside these champions, watched them put in the extra work, and followed their results from home now have real, local role models to look up to. Whether your child wants to chase national medals or simply build confidence, fitness and self‑defence skills, the pathway is there—and it starts with getting on the mat, having fun and learning good Judo one session at a time.

Ready to start your child’s Judo journey?

If your child has been talking about competing, building confidence or just trying something new, now is a perfect time to get them involved. Our Judo classes for kids and teens in Mitchell focus on:

• Strong basics in throwing and breakfalls
• Safe, technical groundwork and pins
• Live drilling and randori so kids know how to apply their skills under pressure
• A supportive, family‑friendly culture that values effort, respect and teamwork

You don’t need any experience to start—just a willingness to learn and have a go. Book a free trial class through our website and let your child take their first step towards their own Judo journey.