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AAP
Rob Forsaith

The sibling bond inspiring Comm Games champ, debutant

Maeve Coughlan joins sister and fellow judoka Aofie Coughlan in Australia's team for Glasgow 2026. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

Maeve Coughlan cheered on from the stands as older sister Aofie won gold at Birmingham 2022, now she will make a Commonwealth Games debut alongside her sibling and inspiration.

Australia have named an 11-strong judo squad for the Glasgow Games, with the Coughlan sisters set to extend their rich family tradition in the sport.

Aofie Coughlan is a two-time Olympian who finished fifth at last year's world championships, while her brother Eoin competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Their parents lived in Ireland and met through judo while at university, then relocated to Australia.

Maeve and Aofie Coughlan have competed at various judo events around the world.

Australian Commonwealth Games
Maeve Coughlan has earned selection in Australia's Commonwealth Games judo team. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

But the younger sister was consigned to the crowd at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after an untimely knee injury forced her to spend seven months on the sidelines.

Aofie won the women's 70kg division, taking home one of 10 medals that made it the most successful Commonwealth Games ever by an Australian judo team.

"I was just glad that I could be there," Maeve Coughlan said after being included in Australia's team named on Saturday.

"I would have loved to compete alongside her, but to be a part of that was something very special.

"We are very close and I've seen all the work that she's put in.

"It was a relief when I first got selected for Glasgow because there were a lot of up and down moments in that period leading up to it.

"But I was able to pull myself together and secure some wins that put me in a viable spot to qualify."

Siblings Saya (left) and
Siblings Saya and Vas Middleton were also picked in Australia's judo team for Glasgow. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

Aofie was likewise thrilled and proud, describing Maeve as her "best friend".

"She's the person that's been there for me, along with my brother and the rest of my family. She's so special and to have her next to me on this team is super awesome," Aofie said.

"She's had a big run with injuries, so to see her be able to still be on the mat, still competing at the highest levels and to achieve the things she wants to achieve is fantastic.

"She's worked so hard for this, for a long time."

Aofie will attempt to defender her 70kg crown, while Maeve is contesting the 63kg division.

Australia's judo team will have a family feel, with siblings Vas and Saya Middleton among seven Commonwealth Games debutants.

Tinka Easton
Tinka Easton will be hoping to back up the gold medal she won in Birmingham. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

Birmingham medallists Tinka Easton and Josh Katz are back for their second Games, as is Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi, who has previously represented Japan.

Judo will be staged on the final three days of the Games, wrapping up on August 2.

AUSTRALIA'S JUDO TEAM: Pedro Antun Neto, Aoife Coughlan, Maeve Coughlan, Tinka Easton, Josh Katz, Vas Middleton, Saya Middleton, Keishin Ochi, Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi, Maria Swan, Danny Vojnikovich

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