The New Zealand Olympic Committee, alongside Judo New Zealand, has announced an experienced eight-athlete judo team selected to represent New Zealand at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.  

The team features a strong mix of Commonwealth Games medallists, Olympians, and internationally experienced athletes, with New Zealand set to be represented across multiple men’s and women’s weight categories.

The selected athletes are:

Women

  • Moira de Villiers — Women’s Under 70kg
  • Qona Christie — Women’s Under 63kg
  • Sydnee Andrews — Women’s Over 78kg*

Men

  • Joel Robinson — Men’s Under 73kg
  • Noah Walliss — Men’s Under 90kg
  • Elliott Connolly — Men’s Under 90kg
  • Matthew Rowley — Men’s Under 100kg
  • Kody Andrews — Men’s Over 100kg

*Sydnee Andrews’ selection is conditional.  

The team includes three returning medallists from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Kody Andrews having claimed silver, while Sydnee Andrews and Moira de Villiers each earned bronze medals.  

For de Villiers, Glasgow 2026 will mark another major milestone in an outstanding international career. A two-time Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games representative, de Villiers will return to the city where she made her Commonwealth Games debut in 2014. She said representing New Zealand remains a special honour and that wearing the fern continues to carry deep meaning, no matter how many Games she attends.  

NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol congratulated the athletes on their selection, recognising the years of commitment and discipline required to earn a place on the New Zealand Team. Judo New Zealand President David Browne also praised the athletes for their consistency and growth throughout the campaign, noting that their focus will now shift towards preparation and performance in Glasgow.  

Judo at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be contested during the final weekend of the Games at the SEC Centre, with approximately 160 athletes expected to compete across 14 weight categories.  

The Oceania Judo Union congratulates the selected New Zealand athletes, their coaches, clubs, and support teams, and looks forward to seeing Oceania judoka proudly represented on the Commonwealth Games stage in 2026.


Source: New Zealand Olympic Committee – Experienced judo athletes ready to throw down at Glasgow 2026