DEFENDER TROPHY 2026: THE RETURN OF THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE CHALLENGE - AND THE FIRST CHALLENGER IS OFFICIALLY LOCKED IN
Land Rover’s iconic adventure machine is officially back in the game. The Defender Trophy - a modern, purpose-driven evolution of the legendary global challenge events that made the brand famous - has kicked off in style, with Japan hosting the very first qualifying round. After two intense days of brain-bending puzzles, physical tests, teamwork missions and proper off-road grit, Naoki Imamura emerged as the first confirmed finalist. He’ll represent Japan at the 2026 global showdown in Africa, where competitors will battle it out alongside Defender’s long-time conservation partner, Tusk. The hype is real - more than 10,000 hopeful adventurers from around the world have already applied to take part, and the selection process is only just heating up. Over the next six months, qualification events will roll out across seven countries, filtering down thousands into a final group of 34 individuals who’ll take on one of the most ambitious modern adventure competitions ever staged by Defender.
The Japan qualifier set the tone for what the Defender Trophy stands for - adventure, problem-solving, teamwork and pushing way past the comfort zone. Twenty-four competitors were thrown into a gauntlet of challenges: hauling and assembling expedition gear, navigating obstacles, constructing rope-and-log bridges, tackling steep slopes, and even taking on night-driving missions that demanded precision and nerve. The event wasn’t just about strength or speed; it was about communication, trust and adapting to whatever the wild threw at them.
Mark Cameron, Defender’s Managing Director, called the kick-off “truly outstanding,” praising participants for embodying the brand’s ethos of “embracing the impossible.” And that’s exactly what the Defender Trophy is engineered to do - revive the glory days of the Camel Trophy, but with a modern purpose-driven twist.
Central to the competition is the new Defender 110 Trophy Edition - a rugged, expedition-ready machine finished in a bespoke Deep Sandglow Yellow that instantly calls back to the Camel Trophy glory days. To celebrate the iconic event’s 45th anniversary, this special edition made an appearance at Eastnor Castle alongside former Camel Trophy competitors and hardcore enthusiasts. The vibe? Nostalgia meets next-gen adventure. A new short film on Defender’s YouTube channel dives deep into this legacy, with legendary names like 1989 champions Bob and Joe Ives and 1997 competitor Karen McDonald sharing how that original spirit of camaraderie, grit and global exploration is being reinvented for today’s world. In the Defender Trophy, teamwork is everything - competitors will need to conquer brutal terrain, handle extreme physical tests and crack tactical challenges, all while contributing to Tusk’s conservation mission in Africa. The Trophy isn’t just about winning; it’s about leaving a positive mark on the places and communities it touches.
If you want to live the adventure - or at least look like you do - the official Defender Trophy merchandise range has just dropped at Defender retailers. The collection stays true to the utilitarian, expedition vibes of the event, offering everything from lightweight insulated jackets and waterproof shells to gilets, tees, caps, snoods and beanies. There’s also proper adventure kit: a water-resistant 21-litre backpack, windproof three-person tent, leak-proof YETI travel mugs and bottles, and a chunky golf umbrella that could survive a monsoon. For collectors and fans, there are Defender Trophy Edition scale models in Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green, plus lion or rhino soft toys - each raising funds for Tusk with every sale. We’re just wondering how many South Africans will make the cut. We can name 10 people off the top of our heads who would ace it, and there are many, many more adventure types on our shores.
Take a look at the YouTube video from the All Around Insight crew as they give you more info on this epic series of events aimed at adventure junkies: Defender Trophy: Epic Adventure, Greater Purpose - First Entrant Selected for 2026 | All Around Insight
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