Australia’s men and Japan’s women were crowned champions of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships after two one-goal thrillers on the final day on the Sunshine Coast.
The hosts had the final say in the men’s gold medal game, holding off Japan 14-13, with Marcus Wertheim named MVP. Japan’s women denied Australia a double with a 9-8 win in the women’s final behind goalkeeper Mao Kawamura, who made nine saves and was named MVP.
The Philippines men claimed bronze with a 17-9 win over China, avenging their opening-day overtime loss to China. Rylan Connors was named MVP after scoring four goals. Korea’s women took bronze with a 16-11 win over the Philippines, led by five goals from Claire Cho and four from Helen Bae.
The final two tickets to the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships were also decided on the last day. Chinese Taipei’s men edged Hong Kong, China 20-18 to finish fifth, and New Zealand’s women outlasted Chinese Taipei 13-11 to claim the last women’s spot, with Alannah Mouat named MVP after scoring three goals and adding an assist.
The top five teams from each gender qualified for the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships in Colorado Springs, United States, in October 2027: Australia, Japan, the Philippines, China and Chinese Taipei in the men’s event, and Japan, Australia, Korea, the Philippines and New Zealand in the women’s.
With the Pan-American and Asia-Pacific championships complete, 10 of the 16 spots in each field are filled, and the remaining six will be decided at the European and African Sixes Lacrosse Championships. Teams can qualify directly from the WL Sixes Championships to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.
The women’s All-Tournament Team featured Mim Suares-Jury, Marlee Wood and Georgia Latch from Australia, and goalkeeper Mao Kawamura, Aya Higashiura and Yuka Okutsu from Japan.
The men’s All-Tournament Team featured Hudson Robb, goalkeeper Sean Aaron and Marcus Wertheim from Australia, and Yuya Okumura, Hiroki Kanaya and Koki Goto from Japan.
Box scores and statistical leaders from the tournament are available here: Men | Women
Men’s Sixes Standings
- Australia
- Japan
- Philippines
- China
- Chinese Taipei
- Hong Kong, China
- New Zealand
- Korea
- India
- Singapore
- Saudi Arabia
Women’s Sixes Standings
- Japan
- Australia
- Korea
- Philippines
- New Zealand
- Chinese Taipei
- China
- Hong Kong, China
- India
- Singapore
