Fighters from the Masterton Judo & Ju Jitsu Academy returned with a haul of medals from the Wellington Judo Open Competition over Anzac weekend.
Academy founder Simon Ogden said a corps of junior, cadet and adult judoka had competed in kata - demonstration patterns of judo techniques - and free fighting known as shiai at the two-day tournament held at Kapiti College.
Members of the Masterton academy won three gold and three silver medals at the competition, which had attracted fighters from throughout the greater Wellington region and from as far away as Christchurch and Napier.
Gold medal winners from Wairarapa included Maia Mckenzie in the senior girls category - competing two grades above her under-42kg fight weight - cadet male under-64kg fighter George Robinson - fighting a grade up from his weight - and Ogden in the Masters 90kg and over class.
"George's fight was really frustrating. He threw his larger opponent twice for a half point, but, in the melee, ended up underneath and getting pinned. But it's just the way it goes."