In 2018, he became Australia's first medalist in the International Judo Federation Grand Slam Series, and he will be the first Australian to win a Judo Grand Prix gold medal in Tel Aviv in 2020. Coughlan will compete in the -70kg weight class on her Olympic debut. She said: "I've watched the Olympics since I was a little girl and I always loved the sport. It's such a hard game to explain really, you just have to try it to believe it!". Australia has never won a gold medal in the sport. Their best result is third place, which they achieved three times (1948, 1952, 1956). The country's only other podium finish at the judo world championships is fourth, which they achieved four times (1936, 1940, 1944, 1948). Coughlan hopes her success at the Tokyo Games will change that situation. She told AAP after winning gold at the Paris Grand Prix in August: "It's definitely going to be a big deal for me and my family. We're all really proud". His parents are from Iran and Australia, and he was born in Brisbane. He started learning judo at the age of 3 under a visiting Japanese instructor. Coughlan says she decided to compete in Tokyo because there is not much funding available in Australia for sports like this. And besides, it's fun!