📰 Anh Ha – Interview with the organizer of the Australian Massage Championship.

🌏 The Australian massage industry is on the verge of a historic moment! The first Australian Massage Championship (AusMC 2025) is not just a professional event, but the beginning of a new era – where technology, knowledge and the human touch meet. 💆‍♂️💫 The idea for the championship was born from a simple but passionate question: “Why don’t we have our own platform in Australia where we can show the world what therapists’ hands can do?”
The AusMC is not just a competition – it’s a movement that aims to connect therapists from around the world, raise the prestige of the profession and take the art of massage to a new level. 👐🌟

1. 🌍 How did the idea for the event come about, and what was the original goal?

For many years, I watched massage championships around the world and always wondered — why doesn’t Australia have one? We have so many talented therapists here, but no platform to showcase our skills, connect internationally or gain recognition on the world stage.

I waited for someone to create this event in Australia so I could compete — but year after year, no one did. So I decided to build it myself.
The goal of AusMC was never just to run a competition. It was created to raise the standard of massage in Australia and give therapists the opportunity to grow beyond routine techniques.

In many massage shops and spas today, most therapists still use the same standard routine — mostly just soft tissue and deep tissue. But modern professional massage goes far beyond that.

Every client has unique needs: pain, stiffness, lack of flexibility, post-surgery recovery, sports injury, nerve issues, emotional stress or trauma. To truly help clients, therapists must continue to learn, apply the right techniques and deliver treatment with purpose.

Massage is not just “rubbing the body” or “using only elbows.” Many therapists lack understanding of body mechanics, movement flow and treatment planning.
Real professional massage includes biomechanics, fascia release, stretching, posture correction, joint mobilisation, sports recovery, breathwork, body awareness, energy balance and therapeutic connection.

✅ Most importantly — massage is communication.
A great therapist not only uses good technique but also listens to the client’s body and feelings — their breathing, pain response, emotional state and movement limitations — and adjusts the treatment to suit them. Massage is not about repeating a routine. It is about responding to the individual body in front of you.

✅ Why categories matter

Another big reason AusMC was created is because many therapists and clients don’t understand the difference between massage styles and categories. Relaxation, Remedial, Sports, Deep Tissue, Thai, Wellness, Facial Massage, Freestyle — each category has a different purpose, technique and treatment goal. AusMC helps therapists discover their strength, choose their style and develop a professional identity.

🎯 AusMC was created to:

✅ Connect therapists in Australia and worldwide

✅ Improve skills through education, workshops and shared learning

✅ Encourage creativity and technical evolution

✅ Develop treatment results — not just techniques

✅ Help therapists identify strengths and correct mistakes

✅ Improve client care and professional understanding

✅ Give global recognition to the massage profession

✅ Bring IMA international standards to Australia

✅ Why AusMC matters
By participating in the Australian Massage Championship, therapists gain experience, confidence and international exposure. This event helps end the stereotype of “bad massage” by showing the world what true professional massage therapy looks like — skill, purpose and care combined.
Every participant receives an official certification recognised by the International Massage Association (IMA) and the World Massage Festival (WMF), helping therapists build professional credibility, attract clients and grow their business.
AusMC is not just a competition — it is a movement to elevate the massage industry in Australia, especially in the wellness field, and to inspire growth, excellence and pride in our profession.

2. 📅 What are the criteria for selecting the competition categories?

The categories at AusMC are selected based on treatment purpose, technique diversity and client needs, following international championship standards. Each category represents a specific style of professional massage:

Remedial

Pain relief, functional treatment, anatomy-based techniques

Wellness

Relaxation, flow, energy , healing connection, full-body balance

Sports

Athletic recovery, mobility, strong technique and control

Freestyle

Creative technical mix with purpose and structure, using a combination of massage styles from around the world.

Thai

Traditional Thai stretches, pressure points and body mechanics

Facial

Holistic facial therapy, lifting, drainage and relaxation

Student

Development for new therapists in training

3. 🌟 What is new or special about this year?

This year is special because it is the first edition of the Australian Massage Championship (AusMC 2025) — a historic milestone for massage in Australia. For the first time, Australia will have a professional championship that connects our therapists with the world stage.

What makes this year unique:

✅ First official national massage championship in Australia

✅ Held under IMA (International Massage Association) standards

✅ Supported by global massage organizations including the World Massage Festival (USA)

✅ Welcoming support from many international championships around the world

✅ International judges and massage leaders coming to Australia

✅ Therapists from around Australia multiple countries competing together

✅ Professional judging system with transparency and fairness

✅ Educational focus — workshops, learning and technique development

✅ Career growth opportunities — certificates, recognition and business credibility

✅ A real stage for therapists to showcase skill and passion

4. 👥 How many countries are represented this year, and how many competitors are coming? 📈

For the first edition of AusMC 2025, we are proud to welcome more than 40 competitors and growing every week. Even in our first year, the championship is already attracting international attention.

We currently have therapists and judges from multiple countries, including:
🇦🇺 Australia

🇹🇼 Taiwan

🇹🇭 Thailand

🇲🇾 Malaysia

🇫🇷 France

🇨🇱 Chile

🇿🇦 South Africa

🇷🇺 Russia

🇺🇸 United States
… and more people are joining soon.

5. 🎯 What is the most important message you want to send to the world with the competition?

Massage is not just a job — it is a profession, a skill and a passion that deserves respect. AusMC is not only about winning; it is about connection, learning and growth.
Massage has the power to heal pain, restore movement, release emotion, reduce stress and change lives.
This championship is not just a competition — it is a movement to raise the standard of massage globally while keeping the heart of our profession: human connection and care.

6. 🎥 How important is social media in promoting the competition?

Social media is very important — it connects us with the world, helps share our message, and allows more therapists to discover and join AusMC.

7. 🎓 What training and education opportunities does the event offer professionals?

✅ Workshops and Masterclasses with international experts

✅ Technique development in all categories

✅ Professional feedback from certified judges

✅ Networking opportunities with global therapists and educators

✅ Career growth support through international recognition and certification
Our goal is to help therapists improve skills, expand knowledge and grow with confidence — long after the competition is over.

8. 🌐 What role do international relations play in the success of the competition?

International relations are a key foundation of AusMC. By connecting with massage organisations, associations and championships around the world, we build credibility, fairness and global opportunity for therapists.
Through international partnership, AusMC:

✅ Follows world-class judging standards

✅ Receives support from global massage leaders

✅ Welcomes international judges and competitors

✅ Creates pathways for Australian therapists to compete overseas

✅ Builds a united global massage community
Without international collaboration, this championship would only be a local event. With it, AusMC becomes part of the world stage.

9. 🔍 What are the criteria for selecting judges?

How many judges should there be at a competition?

Are there defined categories?

Judges at AusMC are selected based on professional experience, fairness, integrity and international standards.
All judges must understand technique, body mechanics, treatment purpose and client safety.
Each category is judged by 4–6 judges plus 1 head judge for fairness and consistency.
Yes, judging is based on clear criteria, including:

Technique – Flow & Body Mechanics – Treatment Purpose – Client Care – Professionalism – Creativity (for Freestyle).
Fair, professional and transparent judging is our priority.

10. 📚 How can you apply and what advice do you have for future competitors?

Applying is simple — register online at our official website and choose your category. No previous competition experience is required. AusMC welcomes all therapists who have passion and want to grow.
My advice to future competitors:

✅ Don’t wait until you feel “perfect” — just start

✅ Focus on technique with purpose, not just routine

✅ Show your own style — your massage identity matters

✅ Keep learning, stay humble, stay professional

✅ Believe in yourself — courage is the first step to growth
This competition is not about being better than others — it’s about becoming better than yesterday.

11. 🎉 What accompanying programs await visitors during the competition?

AusMC is not only a competition — it’s a full event experience. Visitors can enjoy:
✅ Live massage performances from international competitors

✅ Workshops and demonstrations by experts

✅ Masterclasses with world-class trainers

✅ Networking sessions with therapists and educators

✅ Cultural performances and opening ceremony

✅ Award ceremony to celebrate champions
It’s a weekend of learning, connection and inspiration for everyone in the massage and wellness industry.

12. 🌱 How does the competition support the development of the profession?

AusMC helps grow the massage profession by:
✅ Raising technique standards and treatment quality

✅ Encouraging continuous learning through workshops and feedback

✅ Giving therapists recognition and career credibility

✅ Building confidence and professional identity

✅ Connecting therapists worldwide to share knowledge

✅ Changing public perception — showing that massage is a serious profession, not just a service
This competition helps therapists grow their skills, their careers and the respect for our industry.

13. ✨ What message would you give to those who have never participated in such an event before? 🎯

Don’t be afraid — you don’t need to be perfect to begin. Every champion was once a beginner. This competition is not only for the best, it is for those who want to become better.
If you love massage, if you want to grow, if you want to challenge yourself — this is your stage. Believe in yourself, step forward, and let your hands speak from your heart ❤️

14. 🏛️ How will this event be different from previous ones?

AusMC is not a typical competition. It has been created with a new vision — to unite competition and education. We are not here for business or show — we are here to elevate the quality of massage and help therapists grow with purpose. AusMC is built from passion, for therapists who truly care about their craft.
What makes AusMC different:
✅ We judge with purpose – not just technique, but treatment logic and client care

✅ We support growth – judges provide feedback to help competitors improve

✅ We respect every style – all techniques and cultures are welcome

✅ We are global – this event connects Australia with the world

✅ We are professional – fair rules, no politics, no bias

✅ We are a family – therapists don’t compete against each other, they grow together
This is more than a championship — it is a new direction for the massage industry.

15. 👥 Who are the new countries this year?

This year, AusMC welcomes many new countries joining for the first time, making it a truly international event. Along with Australia, we now have competitors and judges from:
🇹🇼 Taiwan

🇲🇾 Malaysia

🇫🇷 France

🇨🇱 Chile

🇿🇦 South Africa

🇷🇺 Russia

🇺🇸 United States

🇵🇭 Philippines
and more countries are currently registering. The global massage community is coming to Australia for AusMC 2025.

16. 💡 What innovations will be introduced in the organization of the competition this year?

This year, AusMC introduces a new model of competition that focuses on professional development, fairness and international integration. Key innovations include:
✅ Official IMA judging standards – fair, structured and transparent

✅ Professional feedback system – judges provide guidance to help competitors improve

✅ Competition + Education format – workshops, demonstrations and masterclasses included

✅ Freedom of technique expression – all styles and cultures are respected

✅ Career-building support – media exposure and certificate recognition

✅ Professional environment – skill over politics, respect over ego
AusMC is not just about collecting trophies — it is a platform designed to build better therapists and a stronger massage industry for the future.

17. 🎯 What is your personal goal with this competition?

My personal goal is to help massage therapists grow and develop their true potential. Too many therapists still use one routine for every client. I want to change that mindset — because every client is different, and a real therapist must learn, adapt and understand treatment purpose.
This competition is not about who is better than who, and not about ego. It is about growth, education and professionalism.
I want to:

✅ Encourage therapists to keep learning new techniques

✅ Help them understand body function and real treatment purpose

✅ Build strong professional identity and confidence

✅ Raise the standard of massage in Australia and worldwide

✅ Create a supportive community where therapists help each other grow
AusMC is not just an event — it is a mission to develop better therapists, not just winners.

18. 🤝 How do you choose a sponsor and is it difficult to find one?

Yes, it is difficult to find sponsors — especially in the first year. But we do not choose sponsors based on money alone. We choose sponsors who share the same values: professionalism, growth and support for the massage industry.
We welcome sponsors who:

✅ Believe in education and skill development

✅ Respect the massage profession

✅ Want to support therapists, not just advertise

✅ Bring real value to the event and community

✅ Want to grow together long-term
For us, sponsorship is partnership — not business. We don’t want companies who just want to put a logo. We want partners who support the mission: to raise the standard of massage in Australia and connect with the world.

19. 🌱 What development do you see in the massage profession as a result of competitions?

Competitions help the massage profession grow in many powerful ways:
✅ Public awareness increases – people start to understand that massage is not a “bad job,” but a real professional career

✅ Therapists improve their skills – technique quality rises, and therapists gain confidence, recognition and global opportunities

✅ Clients become more educated – they learn about different massage styles and can choose the right treatment for their needs

✅ Income increases – skilled therapists with strong technique and professional recognition can charge higher rates and grow their business

✅ The industry shifts from routine massage to professional, result-based therapy

✅ The massage community becomes more united, skilled and respected worldwide

✅ More education and career pathways are created for therapists who want to grow
Competitions bring development, learning and respect to the massage industry.

20. 🤝 Who are the main partners and sponsors this year and how did they get involved?

This championship is proudly supported by international partners and national sponsors who believe in raising the standards of the massage profession and supporting therapist development.

🌍 International Partners & Supporters
This championship is built not by one person, but by a community. Our main partners include the International Massage Association (IMA) and supporters from global massage championships who believe in fairness, education and international connection.
AusMC is connected globally with support from respected international organisations, including:

• World Massage Festival (WMF)
• American Competitive Massage Alliance (ACMA)
• International Federation of Judges (IFJ)
• World Association of Nuad Thai & Spa
• UTAL Massage Championship
• International Therapy Association
  These international partnerships ensure fair judging, international standards and global opportunities for competitors.
  🇦🇺 National Sponsors in Australia
  We are proud to be supported by professional Australian organisations, including:
• Australian Massage & Beauty Institute (AMBI)
• Alura Beauty
• ACBNT – Australian College of Beauty & Nail Technology
• Zen Wellness
• Candy Tang Beauty Academy & Head Spa
• Elegant Beauty Nail & Hair College (RTO 91726, Bankstown Campus)
  These sponsors are more than financial supporters — they are partners in education, development and industry growth. They joined us because they believe in our vision: to elevate the massage industry in Australia and build real opportunities for therapists.

1. 📸 What moment are you most looking forward to during the competition?

The moment I look forward to the most is when a therapist finishes their performance and realises — “I did it.” Not perfect, not flawless, but real — full of passion, effort and heart. That is the moment a therapist transforms — not just in skill, but in confidence.
I want to see therapists grow, connect and support each other — not compete with ego or compare who is better than who, but compete with heart and respect. When therapists grow, the massage community grows — and in the end, clients receive better care.
I look forward to seeing therapists from different countries, cultures and styles stand side by side — not as competitors, but as a family of professionals who respect and learn from each other. When I see therapists hug after competing, share techniques, support each other and grow together — that will be the most powerful moment for me.
Because in the end, this championship is not about beating others — it’s about discovering yourself. And when it’s all over, seeing them stand together — winner or not — proud of themselves for being brave and stepping forward… that is the moment none of us will ever forget.

23. ✨ What message would you give to those who have never participated in an event like this?

Don’t wait for the “right time” — there is no perfect moment to begin. The only difference between those who grow and those who stay the same is courage.

You don’t need to be the best to join — you just need heart, passion and the will to improve. This stage is not only for champions; it’s for therapists who want to become better than yesterday.

Believe in yourself, step forward — your journey starts the moment you decide to try.

24. ❤️ What would you like the competitors and the audience to take home from this event?

I want every person to go home with more than just memories — I want them to go home transformed.
For the competitors, I want them to take home:

• Confidence – the courage to stand proudly as a professional therapist
• Growth – new techniques, new knowledge and new inspiration
• Connection – friendships and global relationships that last beyond the event
• Purpose – a deeper understanding of why they chose this profession

Better client care – the ability to treat clients correctly by choosing the right type of massage for each body and each specific need, delivering safe and result-based treatment to end the stereotype of “bad massage

Each massage category has its own benefits — no massage is bad when it is used correctly, because every technique has a purpose and people need different types of massage for different needs.

For the audience, I want them to take home:

• Respect – understanding that massage is a serious healing profession
• Awareness – to see the difference between routine massage and professional quality massage
• Trust – confidence in skilled therapists who treat with purpose, not routine
• Belief – that passion, learning and heart can change the future of this industry

Most of all, I want everyone to feel that they were part of something meaningful — not just a competition, but a movement to raise standards, improve education and bring pride back to the massage profession.

thank you !
Kindregard
Anh Ha

✨ Closing Thoughts

Massage is more than just touch – it’s connection, communication and healing. ❤️ AusMC 2025 shows that the therapist is not just a technician, but a soul-shaping professional who can give life, peace and balance with their hands. 🌿
This championship is not just about the best, but about all those who believe that progress begins with courage. 💪
Australia is now stepping into the spotlight – not to compete, but to set an example for the world. 🇦🇺✨
International Massage Association Tengbjerg Sundhedsuddannelser World Massage Championship Participants Campionatul Național de Masaj Asociatia de Masaj si Terapii Complementare EMA – European Massage Association GL- International Massage Movement Utah Massage Championship Anna Baroni – Annabel School World Massage Festival Italianmassagecontest SWISS Massage Championship Zürich Hien Anh Australian Massage Championship