2024 Judo NT Titles: Alannah Joyce, Cherese Freeland to spearhead female division

The Territory’s best judo athletes will face off this weekend for a ticket to the 2025 National Titles. Here’s everything you need to know about the NT Titles and the athletes to watch.

Kaan Hucent with his dad Korgan (left) and trainer Queenie Warhurst (right). Picture: Judo NT.

The Territory’s best judo athletes will battle it out in a chance to be crowned the NT’s top dog this weekend.

A qualification for the 2025 Gold Coast National Titles, the NT Titles will showcase the best male and female players on home turf this Saturday at the Marrara Indoor Stadium.

The meet will showcase athletes from all four Darwin based clubs as well as the two newly formed Alice Springs clubs, the Alice Springs Youth and Community Centre and Perentie.

“While these clubs are still in the early stages of developing their athletes for competition, their presence highlights the expanding reach of judo within the Northern Territory,” a Judo NT spokesperson said.

“The athletes will be competing for top honours in their respective weight and age divisions, and will feature both junior and senior competitors battling it out throughout the day.

“With Judo NT recently claiming an impressive 11 medals at the National Titles, the hope is that local athletes will continue their stellar form at the NT Titles.

“The competition will also serve as an important stepping stone in the selection process for the 2025 National Titles, which will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland.”

This meet is also set to be a great reflection of the current crop of female talent in the NT.

“The future of women’s judo in the NT looks bright, with the recent competition seeing more female athletes participating than their male counterparts,” the spokesperson said.

“A promising sign of growing female involvement in the sport.”

ATHLETES TO WATCH

Female:

Alannah Joyce – With an Australian gold to her name and International honours, Joyce is the NT’s highest Judo talent currently on the circuit.

Cherese Freeland –

Cherese Freeland (left) and NT head coach Brad Fong. Picture: Judo NT.

Currently balancing her university and training commitments out of state, Freeland is another promising talent that will be in with a shot of gold this Saturday.

Male:

Kaan Hucent – A skilled athlete, Hucent recently represented Australia at the Asia Tour, securing a bronze medal in Hong Kong and Macau.

Nikolas Thorn Langelaar –

Nikolas Thorn Langelaar (centre). Picture: Judo NT.

A proper talent who had an outstanding campaign at the National Titles and aims to maintain his form heading into the NT Titles.

Luis Maddalozzo – Another up and coming talent, Maddalozzo also competed at the Asia Tour, achieving 5th place in both Macau and Hong Kong.