National Massage Championship
Winning touch
Discover the full list of winners from the 8th UK National Massage Championship 2026 at Excel London
Csenge Kerekes from the UK was crowned the overall champion and recipient of the Judges’ Excellence Award at the eighth National Massage Championship (NMC).
Held as part of Professional Beauty London on October 4–5, 2026, the eighth NMC welcomed massage therapists from across the UK and internationally to compete, connect, and celebrate the massage profession.
Concluding its most successful year to date, the 2026 Championship featured almost 130 entries. Participants showcased an exceptional range of skills, techniques, and treatment approaches across eight competition categories over two action-packed days.
Organised by Kate Tora, founder and director of CityLux Massage, with the support of Carl Newbury and Massage World magazine, the event provided a high-profile platform for industry professionals to elevate their craft.
Tora said, “The energy across the Championship was phenomenal, and seeing so many therapists from the UK and around the world come together, support each other, and be proud of what they do was very special.”
National Massage Championship 2026 winners
Spa/Wellness
Winner: Emilia Greenan (Sponsored by Massage Warehouse)
Second: Aliona Nawwar
Third: Haidelyn Cordoba
Facial Massage
Winner: Alona Petkevicius
Second: Aliona Nawwar
Third: Valentina Dimova
Massage with Tools
Winner: Aliona Nawwar
Second: Anjeza Marko
Third: Hannah Hampson (Sponsored by Massage Warehouse)
Freestyle Eastern
Winner: Csenge Kerekes
Second: Nikki Hofford
Third: Marinela Catrinoiu
Freestyle Western
Winner: Csenge Kerekes
Second: Olga Nedbolska
Third: Anca Dragomir
Advanced/Clinical
Winner: Kristina Vitkauskiene
Second: Elena Iona Bujita
Third: Leonie Lawson
Swedish/Deep Tissue
Winner: Hendrik Tassyam (USA)
Second: Olga Nedbolska
Third: Haidelyn Cordoba
Chair Massage
Winner: Iveta Cikankova (Sponsored by Gladwell Massage)
Second: Alain Bianchini
Third: Mantas Ganebnas
International Awards
Winner: Hendrik Tassyam (USA)
Second: Valentina Dimova (Bulgaria)
Third: Chun Ni (USA)
Head Judge Special Awards
Judges’ Excellence Award & Overall Champion: Csenge Kerekes (UK)
Excellence in Innovation: Paweena Promkot
Excellence in Flow & Rhythm: Victor Antipov
Excellent in Professional Treatment Environment: Sandra Baron
Excellence in Client Care: Viktoriia Kuriacha
Excellence in Integrated Treatment (mind, body, and wellbeing): Kristina Vitkauskiene.