Hi, How Can We Help You?
  • Address: 159 Wicksteed Street, Whanganui
  • Make a call: 0274457882
  • Email Address: wayne@wanganuijudo.nz

Wayne Watson

Wanganui Judo Club - Wayne

Wayne Watson

Black Belt, 7th Dan

Judoka Wayne Watson has captured more than 40 national judo titles since the eighties. He won the Oceania judo titles in 1988 (U95) and 1996 (O95), and was the bronze medalist at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

Wayne's Biography

Wayne Watson first became a member of Wanganui Judo Club in 1965 when he was 8 years old. He stopped judo classes after a year, then resumed two years later because he was being bullied at school.

Wayne has been practicing the sport for over 50 years, and he has been a member of Wanganui Judo Club since he was a child. He became the leader of the club when he was 15 years old. Taking over from his Sensei Don McKay and Sensei Rod Johnston in 1972 to continue the legacy of Whanganui’s longest-running judo club.

Wayne has achieved a lot during his time as a judo practitioner. He received his first black belt when he was 16 years old, and he has won the New Zealand Open Weight title 10 times – a record that has yet to be broken. Despite his success, Wayne still believes in the motto that the club had when he was younger, “fight hard and train harder.”

It’s not often you get the opportunity to train with a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist! Wayne loves teaching judo to others and sharing his knowledge and experience. He is passionate about the sport and loves teaching it to others because he knows that judo can teach valuable life skills, including respect, self-control, and courage.

42

National Titles

in New Zealand

9

International Titles

in Oceania

1

Bronze Medalist

at Commonwealth Games

Wayne's Accolades

  • 1st place | 2011 New Zealand Championships Auckland (O100)
  • 3rd place | 2011 New Zealand Championships Auckland (OpenM)
  • 2nd place | 2009 New Zealand Championships Palmerston North (O100)
  • 1st place | 2006 New Zealand Championships Lower Hutt (O100)
  • 2nd place | 2006 New Zealand Championships Lower Hutt (OpenM)
  • [ ... ]
  • 1st place | 1996 Oceania Championships Wellington (O95)
  • 1st place | 1992 New Zealand Open Tournament (O86)
  • 1st place | 1991 Victorian Open Championships Melbourne (OpenM & U95)
  • 1st place | 1989 Victorian Open Championships Melbourne (O95)
  • 1st place | 1988 Oceania Championships Sydney (U95)
  • Full accolades available at Judo Inside

Wayne's Classes

Join a class at Wanganui Judo Club today to start learning from judoka Wayne Watson: