Will Afonczenko and Adam Meyers were among those crowned as national champions in their respective weight categories, after representing the country at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan last month. 

Eighteen-year-old Afonczenko, who competes in the under-68 kilogram section, has only recently entered the senior ranks.

"It meant a lot to me being crowned national champ this year as it is my first national title in the senior division," he said.

"Last year I fell short in the dying seconds so it was great to secure the win this time.

"It was even better performing in front of a home crowd, especially in front of my own students."

Meyers, in the under-87 kg division, won his first national title in 2015, after five years of winning silver.

"I had to miss last year due to concussion, so it's a very pleasing moment to reclaim my spot at the top," he said.

The two youngsters have also been involved coaching young fighters from their home clubs, alongside Rio 2016 Olympians Hayder Shkara and Safwan Khali.

Shkara, 27, broke his hand at the 2017 Moscow Grand Prix and while he was not able to fight at the Nationals this year, he enjoyed watching athletes and team-mates from Global Martial Arts from the sidelines.

"We couldn't ask for more from our team," he said.

"They gave it absolutely everything they've got and achieved some amazing results.

"In my weight division, my team-mates came away with a gold and silver, so it's nice to know that I have Australia's best constantly pushing me towards Tokyo."

Shkara was seventh in his Olympic debut in Rio in the under-80kg category, and he said that coaching has not only allowed him to give back to the sport but helped him with his own competitions.