SOUTH Africa's judo gold medallist Zack Piontek might seem like a tough guy, but he readily laughs at himself as he explains the origin of his name.

He recently asked his dad the question, and he was not overawed by the answer. He was named after VetkoekPaleis star Zack du Plessis.

"I was like, dad, that's not the best story," recounted a beaming Piontek, one of SA's four judokas who won medals at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

Judo made a return to the games for the first time in 12 years and SA, with a team of only six, capitalised with Piontek's 90kg gold, a silver by Ruan Snyman's +100kg, silver and bronzes by Siyabulela Mabulu (-66kg) and Jacques van Zyl (-73kg).

But what does this success mean for the Olympics? "That's the big question," admits Van Zyl, a veteran of the 2012 London Games.

To have a chance at Rio 2016, the SA hopefuls will have to get as much international competition as possible, says Piontek.

That is how you get experience and earn world ranking points, which were not on offer in Glasgow.

And that means funding.

"I wanted to come here to get experience against international opponents," said Piontek.

Piontek said YouTube footage had helped him prepare for the games, allowing him to devise strategies to counter and attack two of his opponents.

He also had to overcome the partisan crowds twice, because he was drawn against two Scotsmen.