SINGAPORE - Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) were the big winners at the 50th National School Games Judo Championships on Thursday, winning both the A Division girls' and B Division boys' titles.

In claiming both crowns, HCI edged out defending champions Raffles Institution (RI) at Hougang Secondary School.

For the A division girls', HCI won four golds, two silvers and a bronze to emerge first while second-placed RI bagged a gold, three silvers and four bronzes. Catholic Junior College (CJC) came in third with two bronzes while Nanyang Junior College (NYJC) shared fourth place with Millennia Institute as the two schools won a bronze.

In the B Division boys', HCI took the title with four golds, three silvers and five bronzes. RI was second with a gold, two silvers and one bronze. Four schools were joint-third with one bronze medal - Hougang Secondary, St Joseph's Institution, Assumption English School and St Gabriel's Secondary School.

HCI coach Tang Soon Onn, who also coaches B division girls' champion Nanyang Girls' High School, said: "I'm a very happy man today. Everyone performed much better than I expected, due to other commitments like studies.

"I'm quite proud of the sacrifices they've made so far, in order to come for every training and put in their best each time."

Nanyang Girls' won the B division girls' championship with four golds, two silvers and three bronzes. Raffles Girls School were second with one gold, two silvers and six bronzes Bishan Park Secondary School were third, winning one silver. Fourth-placed East View Secondary School claimed a bronze.

RI did manage to retain its A Division boys' championship with four golds, two silvers and three bronzes. Runner-up HCI finished with a gold, a silver and a bronze while third-placed CJC won two silvers and two bronzes. In fourth was NYJC with four bronzes.