Dante Rodrigues

The National NAIDOC Committee are thrilled to announce Mr Dante Rodrigues as a finalist for the Youth Award category. 

Dante Rodrigues is a professional fighter with an impressive background, boasting titles in various martial art disciplines. A proud descendant of Tiwi Islander with a mix of Timorese, and Portuguese heritage. Dante started fighting since age 12 and has been competing against adults proferssionally since he was 14. He has claimed multiple state and Australian titles in Muay Thai and K1.

Dante was the first aboriginal kickboxer and territorian to represent Australia at an Olympic level and even winning a silver medal for Asutralia in the Junior World Kickboxing Championships in Italy. Dante Represented Australia for a second time in 2023 where he made it to the quarter finals in the World Kickboxing Championships in Portugal. 

When not preparing for fights, Dante is an advocate for mental health awareness and runs health and wellbeing programs for the youth in Northern Territory through "One Percent Better Communities," a business he co-founded with his cousin, Jahdai Vigona. A role model in the NT, Dante received the NT NAIDOC youth of the year award in July 2023.