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Sandton teen judoka Andrew Coucourakis-Vermaak (17) is fast becoming a force in the international judo arena, with three consecutive Protea selections, multiple national titles, and international podium finishes under his belt.
A learner at Crawford International Lonehill, Andrew first stepped onto the mat at the age of five when his father enrolled him in judo as an extra-mural activity. What began as a childhood hobby quickly evolved into a deep passion.
“I ended up falling in love with the sport,” he said. “I still remember my first competition, when I was six. I loved the feeling of competing and being handed my first medal.”
By 2018, Andrew had made his mark nationally, winning the South African Schools Judo Championship, the turning point that made him realise judo could become more than just a hobby.
Now, a three-time Protea representative (2023–2025), Andrew, describes the honour of wearing the green and gold as a dream come true
“It means so much to me to represent South Africa. Doing it three times in a row shows my journey is far from over. I still have a lot to achieve.”
His consistency in the sport is no accident. As a four-time South African Judo Open Champion, Andrew credits his dominance to pure hunger and a smart training strategy. “I’ve always wanted to be better than anyone else, regardless of age or weight, but, most importantly, you must train with more experienced judoka than yourself.”
His recent achievements include a gold medal at the Commonwealth Judo Championships in Malta, a standout moment in his career. “I stuck to my plan, which helped me stay level-headed. There’s no better feeling than standing on the podium, in another country, while your national anthem plays.”
Andrew’s global ambitions are backed by real progress. He earned an international ranking of 37th in the world as a cadet in 2024, and currently sits at 63rd as a junior in a new age and weight class. “The global ranking is a useful benchmark. I aim to compete frequently, train hard, and perform well to keep climbing.”
He’s already tested himself at high levels, competing in 2025 at both the African Open Judo Championship in Cameroon and the African Cup. “Those competitions gave me insight into what I need to improve to reach the top. I left with a clear direction for growth.”
Andrew is open about the pressures of international competition, not just in terms of skill, but also finances. “Every international tournament is self-funded. With no sponsorships, the pressure is huge. You want to make it count.”
Beyond physical strength, he believes mental discipline is what sets champions apart. “If you’re too nervous or unsure of yourself, you’ll probably lose. The mental side wins you fights.”
Andrew trains at Neoko Judo, where he’s surrounded by driven teammates and coaches who push him forward. “Self-discipline is key, but having the right team makes the tough days easier.”
In 2024, he was named Best Male Cadet by Joburg Judo, ending the year ranked number 1 in South Africa, accolades that fuel his fire.
“These recognitions show that what I’m doing is working. They boost my confidence and raise my expectations, which is good. You have to set the bar high.”
While international medals earn global respect, Andrew still values being honoured locally. “Recognition from my local federation means a lot, it’s where I started my journey.”
