Wanganui clubs get tight grip on medals

Another tournament, another swag of medals for Wanganui's two judo clubs.

Competing at the Wellington Open Judo Championships at Kapiti College at the weekend, Wanganui Judo Club and Wanganui City College claimed a handful of gold medals and more importantly, broke in some new talent their coaches hope to have ready come the North Island and national championships later this year.

College's best was Antoine Rahier, who claimed gold in both the cadet and junior men's Under 60kg divisions.

He was contested strongly by fellow clubmate Finn Brown, who continues to improve after bronze in cadet and silver in junior after the final against Rahier.

Coach Garry Davies said after Rahier took silver at the Oceania championships last month, he was after a solid return back home.

Brown is stepping up a weight class but despite still finding his feet pushed their fight.

"We always expected Antoine to win it but [Brown] fought it really, really well," said Davies.

The surprise package was youngster Jack McDougall claiming gold in the junior boys Under 24kg class, one of three medals won by the younger competitors.

Matthew Leith claimed bronze in that division, while Angus Dalgleish was second in the Under 32kg.

Davies was also pleased with first-timer Sione Walker, who progressed to silver in the restricted open weight and bronze in the junior men's open weight.

"He was unsure of his size, until he realised he can pick people up and throw them."

Hayden Signal claimed bronze in the cadet Under 66kg, while Matt Gibson was third in the senior men's Under 73kg and second in the open.

For Wanganui Judo Club coach Wayne Watson, the star was the multi-faceted Aidan Voice the 6ft, 90kg fighter was able to move between multiple divisions and dominate them all.

Voice claimed gold in the senior men's Under 90kg, junior men's Over 100kg, and cadets Over 81kg, with bronze in the cadets open weight.

Those with Watson for a surname also had a profitable weekend.

In the junior girls, Brierley Watson claimed the golds in the junior girls Over 36kg and the women's open weight.

Callaghan Watson took gold in the junior boys Under 33kg, while in senior boys the cousins Kasey and Keithley Watson both won bronze in the Over 55kg and open weight classes.

Also in senior boys, Archie Smith won bronze in the Under 40kg.

In junior boys, Noah Jones took silver in the small, Under 24kg class while Sam Scott-Pages won bronze in Over 36kg and silver in the open. Sean Sullivan was third in the Under 28kg.

Finally, veteran Steven Rhodes won silver in the senior men's Under 81kg and bronze in the master's Under 90kg.

Next up is the Tauranga tournament on June 1-2, followed by Palmerston North on the 22-23rd of the month.