Kasey grabs senior boys title

Wanganui Judo Club members with their medals and trophies from the nationals at the weekend. Sean Sullivan, left, Brierley Watson and Kasey Watson, front. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Wanganui Judo Club's Kasey Watson turned the disappointment of narrowly missing gold at the North Island championships into the trophy which signifies he is the top senior grade boy nationally after the New Zealand Judo Championships in Wellington at the weekend.

Watson, who had missed out in the final minute in the open weight senior boys' final in Gisborne in September, made no mistake when the national final reached its climax in Wellington, according to proud father and coach Wayne Watson.

"Came back in the open weight beating all the other fighters with clean throws to put him in the finals of the open weight.

"Kasey was losing the final fight up to the last 40 seconds, he then came in for his devastating left handed hip throw.

"Throwing the other fighter with a clean throw and winning the finals, making him the top senior boy in the country."

It was Kasey Watson's last year of competing in the senior boys division, which is for under 14-year-old's.

As well as the open weight of that class he also fought in the +55kg division, but lost a fight earlier which put him out of the running for a medal.

The club returned home with six medals from the weekend.

Brierley Watson was second in the Junior girls + 36kg , then went on to fight in the junior girls open weight and also finished runner-up.

Aidan Voice was second in the cadet men's +81 kg, before moving up an age group and placing third in the junior men's open weight.

In his first time at the New Zealand champs, Sean Sullivan fought in the junior boys -28kg class and was placed third.