Mardi Gras Martial Arts Championships
14th Feb 2026
Martial Arts Championships
Mardi Gras Martial Arts Championships 2026, part of Sydney Mardi Gras Festival 2026.
In the spirit of building an LGBTQIA+ global Martial Arts community, MGMAC will offer a multi-style Martial Arts Tournament to promote sporting excellence in the Martial Arts within the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
The Tournament will be held on Saturday, 14 February, 2026
Ultimo Recreation Centre
40 William Henry Street, corner Bulwara Road
Ultimo, 2007
8am to 5pm
Tournament Director Penny Gulliver - 6th Dan Black Belt and Chief Instructor GLMA Martial Arts - founded the championships to welcome the global sporting village to Sydney as part of World Pride 2023, Mardi Gras 2024 and 2025.
This will be Penny's fourth tournament as founder and director. This exciting and innovative event will bring athletes, artists, ideas and energy from around the world together in the Southern hemisphere.
The Tournament is FREE to come as a spectator and $100 to enter as a participant with unlimited entries to events you qualify for!
We have a new, simple process to register.
Registration is now open - with an early bird rate of $90 until 31st of December 2025.
Registration closes 10 February, 2026.
Medals will be presented for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place, and trophies will include the club or individual with the most diversity initiatives, and for those who've travelled the greatest distance.
Rules and categories will be organised within the guidelines of The International Association of Gay and Lesbian Martial Artists (IAGLMA) - the organisation that traditionally runs the Martial Arts multi-style events at the Gay Games since the 1980s - with some rule modifications to include Continuous Sparring categories, which were popular with spectators at the last tournament.
We're focusing on outreach to encourage participation and networking across our local, national, and international communities, with a particular emphasis on transgender participation.
Penny is also preparing an Australian team to be a force at the Gay Games 2026 in Valencia, Spain, and encouraging New Zealand teams to participate in Valencia. Interest has been expressed in creating a similar Tournament in New Zealand.
Events List
Registration Open to 18 Years & Above
Women's Empty Hand Forms
01 - Beginner
02 - Intermediate
03 - Advanced
04 - Blackbelt
Men's Empty Hand Forms
05 - Beginner
06 - Intermediate
07 - Advanced
08 - Blackbelt
Women's Weapons
09 - Beginner
10 - Intermediate
11 - Advanced
12 - Blackbelt
Two Person Set Empty Hand
17 - Colour Belt
18 - Black Belt
Men's Weapons
13 - Beginner
14 - Intermediate
15 - Advanced
16 - Blackbelt
Two Person Set Weapons
19 - Colour Belt
20 - Black Belt
Women's Point Sparring
21 - Beginner
22 - Intermediate
23 - Advanced
24 - Black Belt
Men's Point Sparring
25 - Beginner
26 - Intermediate
26 - Advanced
27 - Black Belt
Women's Self Defence
28 - Beginner
29 - Intermediate
30 - Advanced
31 - Black Belt
Men's Self Defence
32 - Beginner
33 - Intermediate
34 - Advanced
35 - Black Belt
Team Form
36 - Beginner
37 - Intermediate
38 - Advanced
39 - Black Belt
Mens Empty Hand Musical Form
40 - Black Belt
Women's Empty Hand Musical Form
41 - Black Belt
Open (All-gender)
42 - Extreme/Creative Forms*
43 - Extreme/Creative Weapons*
Point Sparring
44 - Black Belt
45 - Under Black Belt*
46 - Demonstrations /Showmanship*
Continuous Sparring
47 - Black Belt
48 - Under Black Belt
49 - Black Belt Kata (Open Champion)
50 - Under Black Belt Kata
Please note: While some competitive divisions are separated by gender, all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies are welcome to participate across all experience levels, age groups (sorted after registration), and qualifying categories. Participants are encouraged to self-identify and register in the gender divisions that best fit them and where they feel most comfortable.
Register now!
To register and pay for the 2026 Mardi Gras Martial Arts Tournament,
please email keepsafe@ihug.com.au with the below information:
-
Your full name (i.e. Penny J Gulliver)
-
The names and numbers of the events you are competing in
(details from the list above, i.e.,
Women's Empty Hand Forms 04 Black Belt;
Women's Weapons 12 Black Belt;
Women's Empty Hand Musical Form 41 Black Belt) -
Evidence of payment by bank transfer - details see below (screenshot/receipt/confirmation email, etc.)
These three pieces of information are all that is required to register at this time!
You will need to complete a full registration form with contact details and consents/disclaimers on the day of the tournament (from 8 am).
Please note: Numbers are for administrative purposes only, and do not signify the order of events. These are needed for event planning (now).
Please note: If registering from outside Australia, contact the event organisers (Penny Gulliver: 0411808451 / keepsafe@ihug.com.au) before payment to confirm eligibility.
Payment details:
(This is the bank account you need to pay into to register.)
Penelope J Gulliver
BSB: 012-286
ACC: 477381437
(ANZ Bank Australia)
Early bird discount ends 31 December, 2025 ($90)
Registration closes 10 February, 2026 ($100).
Please take advantage of the early bird discount (and help tournament directors!) by submitting your applications early.
Rules & Categories
Rules and categories will be organised with the guidelines of The International Association of Gay and Lesbian Martial Artists [IAGLMA] www.iaglma.org -- the organisation that traditionally runs the Martial Arts Events at The Gay Games since the 1980s.
