There are a lot of ways to measure success, but there's no doubt that Moose Jaw Koseikan Judo Club had a successful tournament in Watrous Dec. 10.

"Anytime you win as many medals as you had fighters, you know you're on the right track," said Koseikan club coach Jim Wiens.

The Koseikan took 12 judoka to Watrous and came back with six gold medals, two silver and four bronze.

"These kids are actually working really hard," said Wiens. "(Coach Josh Wiens) and I have taken over the coaching role and we work split days . . . so I don't see some of these kids as they work out on days I'm not there. But with how they competed this weekend, you can see that they are definitely working hard."

John Fellinger Jr (Novice Cadet Boys Under-30 kg), Brock Pearson (Novice Cadet Boys Under-38 kg), Amy Hughes (Cadet Girls Under-34 kg), Michael Herbert (Juvenile Boys Under-73 kg), Jeremy Williams (Junior Men Under-60 kg and Junior Men Under-66 kg) each went unbeaten in winning gold.

Nikolas Penna-Benson (Novice Cadet Boys Under-26 kg Pool A) and Samantha Trusty (Cadet Girls Under-26 kg) each won silver. Brayden Johnson (Novice Cadet Boys Under-26 kg Pool B), Carlie Orr (Cadet Girls Under-34 kg), Nick Hughes (Juvenile Boys under-60 kg) and Chad Griffin (Juvenile Boys Under-43 kg) each won bronze medals.

The meet was the midway point of the judo season, but the second half is going to be a lot busier.

That's due in part to two major events on the horizons. Performances this season will help determine the 2007 Canada Winter Games team and competitors are also looking to attend the Saskatchewan Winter Games this February.

Chad Griffin, Nick Hughes and Michael Herbert are all eligible for the Zone 3 team and are hoping to pack their bags for the Games in Melfort in February.

The Koseikan club will have some grading before Christmas and then attend the Junior/Senior Sask Open, Jan 20 in Regina.

Appeared in the Moose Jaw Times-Herald Dec. 15, 2005