The Portage Judo Club is hosting their Home Tournament Saturday at the BDO Centre in Portage la Prairie.

Portage Judo Club Coach Brian Case says they had around 150 competitors last year, and they're expecting at least double this year. Case, the fighters, and volunteers will have to set up their event Friday evening, and have it all torn down Saturday night. The event starts Saturday just after 10 a.m. and Case's excited at the amount of athletes he has competing.

"It'll be over very fast," says Case. "We've set it up so we have 3 mat areas, so there'll be 3 fights happening at once. It's going to be very fast and furious. Last year we had 34 fighters, and this year we're hoping to have about 50."

13-Year-Old Kiernan Olson's got some competitive experience, and explains what happens at a tournament like this.

Olson

"It's usually 3 or 4 people that you have to fight, and then they've got trophies and medals. I'm fairly excited, I've competed a lot."

Portage Fighter Natasha Burton says fighting in Portage is one of her favourite things.

"I always like competing in Portage because friends can come out and see, family can come see, and it's not far for anyone to drive."

Natasha Burton (right) stretching before practice

Sydney Pearson's in her first year of the Judo Club, and will be competing Saturday. She explains it's thanks to Burton that she got involved with the club.

Pearson

"(Natasha) told me to come and try it out a few times, and it was just pretty fun to learn a new sport and more self defense, and confidence through judo."

The opening ceremonies take place at 10 a.m., and the fighting should begin around 10:30.