Monash University’s Men's judo team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2024 University Sport Nationals held in Canberra on Sunday September 8, proudly bringing home an impressive haul of six individual medals and the overall team pennant. 

Their dedication and teamwork truly shone through, solidifying Monash’s dominance in the sport.

Hassan Al Baghdadi led the charge, securing a gold medal in the under 66kg category, while Luke Davies added a silver in the under 81kg division. Nicholas Challis contributed to the medal tally with a well-earned bronze in the under 73kg category, alongside Philip Kupczyk and Zach Nabulsi, who also claimed bronzes in the under 90kg division. 

The crowning achievement came from the men’s judo team, who fought with determination and unity to take home the prestigious overall pennant.

Among the standout athletes was second-year Engineering and Science student Nicholas Challis, who secured a bronze medal in the under 73kg division, adding to his previous success from last year.

Reflecting on the achievement, Nicholas shared the pride that comes with representing his university.

“It's very special. Not everyone gets the chance to represent Monash, and being able to represent the university, and being able to achieve something for the university, and to be recognized as being able to put in effort and show kind of what people at Monash University achieved.”

Despite the challenge of consistently maintaining strong form, Nicholas has once again proven his capabilities.

This year’s Uni Sport Nationals wasn’t Nicholas' first time representing Monash, he also competed last year in Queensland, bringing home a bronze medal. 

However, this year was different in Nicholas’s level of preparation. “I did a lot of training at home and with the Monash Judo Club. The team helped each other prepare, even those who weren’t competing,” he said. 

The camaraderie within the Monash team was crucial to their success, as support from teammates and coaches motivated them throughout the competition.

The road to success wasn’t without its challenges. Nicholas faced an early setback: 

“I lost my first fight in five seconds. It's not a good way to start a competition. But as long as you can pick yourself up, reflect on what went wrong, prepare mentally, and move on to the next fight.” 

His ability to quickly overcome this disappointment exemplifies the resilience required in competitive sports.

When asked about the team’s collective achievement, Nicholas reflected on the significance of winning both individually and as part of the team.

“It was very special to not only be able to win as an individual, but as a team together.”

“And not only the team that we had compete, but also the rest of the team that weren't able to represent Monash, but still showed up and supported us from the sidelines, cheering us on and really driving home Monash, allowing us to put that behind us and fire us up for the win,” he said, highlighting the unity and encouragement that played a key role in their gold medal win.

Balancing academic life with training can be a challenge for many student-athletes, but Nicholas has developed a routine that allows him to excel in both areas. 

'I try to get to university early and arrange my classes in the morning. This gives me time to study at the library, so I can free up my afternoons for sports. It’s not only to stay fit but also a way to take a break from university and all the study,' he explained.

This disciplined approach ensures he can focus on both his education and athletic goals.

Looking ahead, Nicholas remains committed to judo. 

“I’ll keep training and competing, starting with a competition next week in Brisbane, and continue representing Monash and my club,” he shared. 

His determination to succeed at higher levels of competition is clear, as he continues to build on his already impressive achievements.

Nicholas’ journey at Uni Sport Nationals serves as a testament to the strength and spirit of Monash University’s judo team. 

Their collective efforts and individual accomplishments have made their university proud, with more successes undoubtedly on the horizon.

To learn more about Monash Judo and their achievements here.

Written by Antonia Xu