JUDO NEW ZEALAND

NZL judoka Sydnee Andrews (GIS WB) continues her impressive run on the international circuit, securing a silver medal over the weekend at the Panamerican-Oceania Continental Championships in Santiago, Chile.

Other members of the NZL team also performed well, notably Tatalong Hannarong (NJS AK) finishing 7th in the -66kg category.

Competing in the +78kg division, Andrews fought her way to the final with dominant performances, scoring Ippon victories in her first two matches against opponents from Canada and Cuba. In the gold medal bout, she faced none other than Beatriz Souza of Brazil, the reigning 2024 Olympic Champion, ultimately finishing second after a strong contest.

This marks Sydnee’s third appearance at the Continental Championships and comes just two weeks after placing 5th at the Dubrovnik Senior European Cup, further underscoring her rising profile on the world stage. Reflecting on her weekend in Santiago, Sydnee shared that she was “feeling good coming into the weekend” and credited her team coach and fellow team members for their support.

Sydnee is fortunate to be part of High Performance Sport New Zealand’s (HPSNZ) Tailored Athlete Pathway Support (TAPS) programme, which provides selected athletes with financial backing and performance services tailored to their stage of development. This support enables her to train and compete at the highest level year-round.

Currently based at the Camberley Judo Centre in London, Sydnee trains full-time under renowned Head Coach Luke Preston. The centre is a hub for elite international judokas and provides an environment that supports her Olympic aspirations. Sydnee will remain in London for most of the year, returning to New Zealand at the end of the season.

Next on her schedule is the Benidorm European Open in Spain, followed by a four-day training camp, as she continues her push to remain in the top end of the World Ranking list.

Congratulations to Syd and the rest of the NZL team.