Australian Open Championships 2026-Sydney

Written By Jessica Johnson

WOW — what a fantastic weekend for Yoseikan-Ryu Karate at the Karate Australia Australian Open Championships held at the Whitlam Centre, Liverpool. With 993 entries from 73 clubs and seven nations (Australia, India, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan and USA), the competition was fierce — and our team shone. We finished 4th on the overall medal table and were the best-performing club from Western Australia. A tremendous achievement for everyone involved.

Medallists

  • Claire Bertagnolio — U14 girls +52kg — Gold — kumite

  • Ana Jovic — U14 girls -47kg — Gold — kumite

  • Andela Jovic — Cadet girls -52kg — Gold — kumite

  • Andela Jovic — Cadet girls Open — Gold — kumite

  • Beau Hooper — U12 boys -40kg — Gold — kumite

  • Jayda Gledhill — U21 -55kg — Gold — kumite

  • Mitchel Durham — Men’s -75kg — Gold — kumite

  • Mitchell Durham — Men’s Open — Gold — kumite

  • Dylan Villareal — U10 boys — Silver — kata

  • Maddison Westaway — U12 girls -35kg — Bronze — kumite

  • Electra Watson — U12 girls -35kg — Bronze — kumite

  • Jayda Gledhill — Women’s -55kg — Bronze — kumite

  • Zoran Cunjak — Veterans 35–45 years — Bronze — kumite

Coaches

  • Owen Blockley

  • Jessica Bratich Johnson

  • Mitchell Durham

  • Branco Bratich

Referees

  • Rebecca — awarded Oceania Judge B (kata & kumite)

Huge thanks to our athletes, coaches, referees, parents and volunteers — the club spirit and dedication were outstanding. We’re looking forward to the Nationals in Tasmania later this year.

Jessica Johnson
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