Burke said the organisers were delighted with the success, which came after the club were unsuccessful applicants for the 'Den of Dragons' competition in July, but were encouraged to organise the competition off their own financial backs.
Having three mats set up, with the judges scoring each grappling contest on laptop computer, had gone off without a hitch.
"We wouldn't have been able to do it without all of the local sponsors," said Burke.
"Our club planned a lot of hours into working that [day], for three days [beforehand].
"We finished early, which never happens in a competition.
"We hit our target and went beyond our target in terms of entry and spectators.
Fighters from Kapiti, Wellington, Palmerston North, Levin, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth and Auckland among others took part.
There was a good mix of first-timers and veterans looking to get back into active competition.
The headline event was the Men's and Women's Absolute divisions with $500 cash awarded to each of the winners.
Women's Absolute winner was Bella Da Silva-Daitx, who trains with the black belt instructor at Gracie Gym Wellington who is affiliated with the Wanganui club.
Gracie Gym Wellington's brown belt Joseph Rivers won the Men's Absolute division.
Burke said the event had raised enough money to cover costs and go towards hosting another Gladiators in Gi in 2017.
