The opening day of the 2025 Gold Coast Oceania Open delivered a thrilling start to competition, with seven divisions decided across the men’s –60 kg, –66 kg, and –73 kg categories, and the women’s –48 kg, –52 kg, –57 kg, and –63 kg categories. Athletes from 22 nations took to the tatami in front of a vibrant Gold Coast crowd, marking an exciting return of world-class judo to Australian soil.
Men’s Divisions
In the –60 kg division, Olympic medallist Yang Yung Wei (TPE) showcased his trademark precision to claim gold, defeating Maxime Merlin (FRA) in the final. Christopher Velazco (USA) and Chiu Wei-Jie (TPE) rounded out the podium with bronze medals.
Cyprus celebrated success in the –66 kg division as Georgios Balarjishvili (CYP) took top honours ahead of Luukas Saha (FIN). Lin Chong-You (TPE) and Lenny Sheynfeld (USA) each secured bronze.
The –73 kg title went to Justin Lemire (CAN) after a gripping final against Joshua Green (IRL). Local judoka Kohsei Toyoshima (AUS) impressed the home crowd with a bronze alongside Masayuki Terada (THA).
Women’s Divisions
Chinese Taipei continued its strong showing with Lin Chen-Hao (TPE) striking gold in the –48 kg category. Maria Celia Laborde (USA) earned silver, while Ho Lok Yi (HKG) and Chih-Jou Chiu (TPE) claimed bronze.
In –52 kg, India’s Shraddha Kadubal Chopade captured the top spot, edging Shuk Ki Tsui (HKG) in the final. Bronze medals went to Maelie Tournier (AUS) and Ria Kney (NZL).
Croatia’s Ana Viktorija Puljiz dominated the –57 kg division, with compatriot Dora Bortas also stepping onto the podium for silver. Pihla Matikainen (FIN) and Mariah Holguin (USA) shared bronze.
The –63 kg final saw an all-Croatian affair, with Iva Oberan defeating teammate Katarina Kristo for gold. The USA added two bronzes through Karlee Carrouth and Emily Daniela Jaspe, demonstrating the nation’s depth in the middleweights.
Medal Standings After Day 1
Croatia leads the medal table with two golds, one silver, and one bronze, followed closely by Chinese Taipei with two golds and three bronzes. Cyprus, Canada, and India each hold one gold, while Finland, the United States, and Hong Kong feature prominently in the early standings.
Host nation Australia opened its account with two bronze medals and several strong fifth-place finishes, setting up promising momentum for Day 2.
Looking Ahead
Day 2 will feature the remaining men’s and women’s divisions — including the heavyweight categories — promising another action-packed day as nations vie for continental ranking points and podium glory.