For some, it's a chance to fill up their trophy cases.

For others, it's a chance to gain some much-needed experience.

Either way the Moose Jaw Koseikan Judo Club is anticipating a successful outing at a major judo meet in Swift Current Saturday.

A total of 13 members - nine youngsters and four adults - will make the trip with some hoping to impress watchful eyes.

"There will be a lot of provincial coaches there and if some kids do very well they may be asked to come out for the provincial team," said Moose Jaw instructor Jim Wiens. "It's a pretty big meet."

"Quite a few of our kids are expected to come back with something," Wiens added when asked of medal possibilities. "The last two tournaments we have gone to, 50 percent of the kids have come home with medals."

Among those who are expected to fair well are senior competitors Steve Hansen and Ken Blandford. The duo have each only been involved in judo for two years but Wiens expects them to dominate their respective divisions.

Wiens and brother Josh will also be competiong in the senior event.

Of the younger competitors, Glen Cullen is expected to fare well, having breezed through a division with 18 competitors undefeated at a recent tournament in Melfort. Meaghen Cullen is another who should do well.

Leah Jacobsen will be competing in her third tournament and as this is her last year as a junior, she's expecting to do well while Colt Wadstein will be back competing as a junior after being moved up to juvenile last year.

The Dawm sisters - Tiara and Danielle - are each competing in their second tournament while Brock Polupski and Hursel McKenna will see their first taste of competition.

Wiens also has high hopes for Vince Langevin.

"He is our most improved student," he said. "He was fairly inexperienced last year but has worked very hard. He was fourth out of 11 competitors at his last tournament so we are expecting big things from him."

Appeared in the Moose Jaw Times-Herald Feb 10, 1995