SouthWest Judo Academy is proud to recognise Sensei Jacob Read and Olivia Knights for their participation in the 2025 National Randori Camp, held from 23-27 February. The camp served as a key training opportunity for athletes competing in the 2025 Canberra International Open and the upcoming 2025 Sydney International Open, providing an invaluable high-performance environment between these two major competitions.
Hosted by Judo Australia, the camp brought together top judoka from across the country for five days of intensive training under the guidance of National Coaches Emilien Freund, Ivica Pavlinic, Kerrye Katz, and Rob Katz, along with guest coaches, including WA’s own Catia Maia.
Both Jacob and Olivia gained critical experience, sharpening their skills alongside some of Australia’s strongest judoka. Training sessions ran twice daily, with a focus on ne-waza (groundwork) in the mornings and tachi-waza (standing techniques) in the afternoons, featuring uchi-komi, drills, and high-level randori. Structured recovery sessions each evening ensured athletes maintained peak performance throughout the demanding schedule.
Coming off strong performances at the Canberra International Open, Jacob and Olivia embraced the opportunity to refine their techniques and continue their preparation for the Sydney International Open. Their commitment to pushing themselves in these high-level environments demonstrates the dedication required to compete at the national and international level.
We wish them the best of luck as they take to the mat again at the Sydney International Open this weekend!
