Ibera, Kwon & Pestano Qualify for Junior World Team

Congratulations to Taylor Ibera (44kg), Anthony Kwon (66kg) and Dane Pestano (+100kg). Ibera and Pestano both won their divisions at the 2010 National Junior Olympic Championships yesterday in Duluth, GA, and Kwon was runner up. They all qualify for a spot on the U.S. team and will compete at 2010 Junior World Championships in October in Morocco.

For Yonemura, discipline lasts a lifetime

Discipline.

His parents could only hope Earl Yonemura would learn some when they sent him off to the Shobukan dojo and into the care of the legendary Sunao Migita. Perhaps judo — “gentle way” as it is translated — would calm their 7-year-old son whose antics had outgrown the family’s small Kapalama home…

Click here for full article from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Earl Yonemura, wearing his 9th degree black belt, holds his certification for reaching the belt.

HIADA Decisions on Wrestling & Judo

From Paul Honda at the Star Advertiser:

Wrestling

1. Maintain the start dates but insert an additional week to the Winter Sports Season. Adjust each of the winter state tournament weeks to one

Committee: 28-0-1 passed

APPROVED 85-0-4

The rest of the results can be found here:

2. Change the over-hydrated disqualification rule to a reading of 1.000 on the refractometer and allow a wrestler who is disqualified with over-hydration to maintain his/her three opportunities to certify.

Committee: 28-0-1 passed

APPROVED 85-1-4

3. As amended: If a defensive wrestler in a nearfall situation signals with the “tap-out” gesture and the match is stopped because of the signal, then the wrestler will default the match, except if the tappet gesture is due to an illegal hold on the part of the offensive wrestler

Committee: 28-0-1 passed

APPROVED 85-0-4

Judo

1. To restore the HHSAA judo tournament to 16-person brackets

Committee: 17-10-2 passed

APPROVED 54-30-5

2. As amended: This recommendation would add to the list of Flagrant Hanskumake and would disqualify a contestant from competition, medals and points. Performance of reckless actions, i.e. intentionally kicking, slapping, shoving which could or does cause injury or intimidation would be regarded as flagrant hanskumake.

Committee: 28-0-1 passed

APPROVED 86-0-4

The rest of the results can be found here:

http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/air-riflery/2010-hiada-voting-results/

2010 HHSAA State Judo Championships: Boys Finals – Matside Coverage

Attended the 2010 HHSAA State Judo Championships at the Stan Sheriff Center on May 8, 2010.  Coverage includes Boys Championship matches.

Notes/Observations:

I was hoping that the tournament organizers would hold all championship matches (Boys and Girls) on one mat which would have allowed me to give video coverage of all finals.  But they separated the Boys and Girls finals on back-to-back mats which put me in tough situation as there was no way I could run back and forth to capture all finals, so I had to choose.  With the seemingly more intriguing match-ups on the Boys side, I decided to give that side the coverage.

Note – Finalists are listed in order according to their seeding.  The order for the finalists’ picture from left to right are 6th, 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 5th.

108

Brendan Chang (Maryknoll) vs Kelson Onigama (Moanalua)

Chang won by ippon.  Brendan, the top seed and ILH champion, defeated Kelson, the 3rd seed and OIA champion.  Brendan is a freshman and I believe so is Kelson, and that would mean many more years of battles between these two judoka.  Brendan brought home another individual state title for Maryknoll after Cassidy Oshiro brought home Maryknoll’s first title ever in wrestling this past season.

Congratulations to Brendan on your championship and to Kelson for a successful season!

(L to R) Justin Raymond (Konawaena), Zachary Kido (Campbell), Kelson Onigama (Moanalua), Brendan Chang (Maryknoll), Kevin Miyamasu (Moanalua), Jacob Arakaki (Kamehameha-Kapalama)

114

Jacob Palimo’o (Moanalua) vs Jordan Ng (Punahou)

Ng won by ippon.  Jordan, the 4th seed and ILH champion, defeated Jacob, the 2nd seed and OIA champion.  Jordan, a senior, ends his high school career with back-to-back state titles in wrestling and judo.  Jordan also won the state title last season at 108.  Jacob had a huge win in the quarterfinals over Cassidy Oshiro.

Congratulations to Jordan on your championship and to Jacob for a successful season!

(L to R) Cody Fernandez (Roosevelt) (stand-in shown), Skye Yonamine (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Jacob Palimo’o (Moanalua), Jordan Ng (Punahou), Cassidy Oshiro (Maryknoll), Logan Yamamoto (Iolani)

121

Logan Bucsit (Farrington) vs David Terao (MPI)

Terao won by ippon.  David, the 3rd seed and ILH champion, defeated Logan, the top seed and OIA champion.  These two know each other very well having battled in wrestling and judo for numerous years.  This was also a repeat of last season’s 114 final also won by David.  David has proven so dominant and with his 3rd state title under his belt, he will be gunning for a distinguished 4th next season.

Congratulations to David on your championship and to Logan for a successful season!

(L to R) Cody Uyejo (Mililani), Blaine Bolibol (Punahou), Logan Bucsit (Farrington), David Terao (MPI), Ryan Oda (Punahou), Brant Tsuda (Moanalua)

132

Brady Lafortune (Moanalua) vs Tyler Kono (Kapolei)

Lafortune won by ippon.  Brady, the 4th seed and OIA champion, defeated Tyler, the 7th seed and OIA runner-up.  Tyler is so tough and he scored a huge win over Sean Tachibana in the quarterfinals.  Brady was the talk of the tournament as he became the 4th judoka to win 4 state titles joining Taylor Iberra of Farrington, Lianne Tomishima of McKinley, and Christian Pavo of Pearl City.  But Brady became the first judoka in Hawaii history to win 4 state titles in 4 different weight classes.  Quite an accomplishment and something for all of the Hawaii judo community to be proud of!

Congratulations to Brady on your championship and to Tyler for a successful season!

(L to R) Koan Kojima (Roosevelt), Trevor Kalawaia (Kahuku), Tyler Kono (Kapolei), Brady Lafortune (Moanalua), Sean Tachibana (Maryknoll), Evan Uehara (Punahou)

145

Tyler Yonemori (Waiakea) vs Jordan Ogata (Mililani)

Yonemori won by wazari.  Tyler, the top seed and BIIF champion, defeated Jordan, the 7th seed and OIA runner-up.  Tyler improved on his 5th place finish last season at 145.  There was an early buzz this season about Tyler and he proved the hype was correct and he was the only neighbor island state champion this tournament.  Jordan scored an upset in the quarterfinals against Jacob Luning-Hoshino and he was the runner-up last season at 132.

Congratulations to Tyler on your championship and to Jordan for a successful season!

(L to R) Royce Mori (Damien), Jacob Luning-Hoshino (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Jordan Ogata (Mililani), Tyler Yonemori (Waiakea), Chaeden Grace-Reyes (Farrington), Cody Kagawa (University)

161

Kainalu Matthews (Kamehameha-Kapalama) vs Damon Hom Jr. (McKinley)

Hom won by ippon.  Damon, the 3rd seed and OIA champion, defeated Kainalu, the top seed and ILH champion.  This match gets my vote for the Best Winning Reaction, narrowly edging out Lafortune’s match, and also the Fastest Finals Ippon (8 seconds).  Damon was so ecstatic after his win that he literally leaped into the arms of Kainalu in a big bear hug, then he ran to bow and then ran off the mat… probably ran into the back somewhere to scream in happiness.  Damon finished 5th in the state last season at 161 and he finally captured his first state title in his senior year.  Kainalu has been so dominant all season and his height presented major problems for his opponents.

Congratulations to Damon on your championship and to Kainalu for a successful season!

(L to R) Tyler Vaughn (Hilo), Ken Kobayashi (Punahou), Kainalu Matthews (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Damon Hom Jr. (McKinley), Gaston Carr (Kahuku), Lindsey Nelson (Roosevelt)

178

Punahele Soriano (Kahuku) vs Robby Ostovich (Moanalua)

Soriano won by ippon.  Punahele, the 2nd seed and OIA champion, defeated Robby, the 5th seed and OIA runner-up.  Punahele has had quite a senior year capturing his first state title in wrestling and now another state title in judo.  Robby has been an accomplished wrestler and judoka and closes out his high school career as well.

Congratulations to Punahele on your championship and to Robby for a successful season!

(L to R) Taylor Sakanashi (McKinley), LJ Remillard (Punahou) (stand-in shown), Robby Ostovich (Moanalua), Punahele Soriano (Kahuku), Tevin Miyahara (Leilehua), Randy Ishitani (Roosevelt)

198

Myer Alokoa (Hawaii Center for the Deaf & Blind) vs Tyler Hayashi (Roosevelt)

Alokoa won by ippon.  Myer, the top seed and OIA champion, defeated Tyler, the 6th seed and OIA runner-up.  Quite a story for Myer who has learned to overcome his disability and capture his first state title after finishing 3rd in the state last season at 198.  Myer competed for Kalani in the regular season.  Tyler finished 3rd in the state last season at 178 and also had a runner-up finish in wrestling this past season.

Congratulations to Myer on your championship and to Tyler for a successful season!

(L to R) Kawika Scott (Konawaena), Warren Mamizuka (Kahuku), Tyler Hayashi (Roosevelt), Myer Alokoa (Hawaii Center for the Deaf & Blind), Diego Meyers (Campbell), Makale’a Medeiros (Baldwin)

220

Dane Paihi Pestano (Kamehameha-Kapalama) vs Kyle Tsubota (Lutheran)

Pestano won by yuko.  Paihi, the 3rd seed and ILH champion, defeated Kyle, the 8th seed and ILH runner-up.  This was Round 4 for these two top judoka.  During the ILH season, Paihi won twice and Kyle won once, and all were great, close battles… like a chess match, one unable to truly dominate the other.  Paihi, a freshman, is a national caliber judoka with Hawaii Tenri Judo Club and he will be setting his sights on a repeat title next season.  Kyle was the returning state champion at 220 and scored a big win over Jheryl Makaiau in the quarterfinals.

Congratulations to Paihi on your championship and to Kyle for a successful season!

(L to R) Demetrius Roby (Saint Louis), James Lloyd (Kaimuki) (stand-in shown), Kyle Tsubota (Lutheran), Paihi Pestano (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Jheryl Makaiau (Kahuku), Weston Akamine (Roosevelt)

275

Alex Kozuma (Moanalua) vs Keith Chargulaf-Tuilepa (Farrington)

Chargulaf-Tuilepa won by ippon.  Keith, the 4th seed and OIA champion, defeated Alex, the 3rd seed and OIA runner-up.  Keith was the runner-up last season at 275 and this was a sweet victory as Keith lost an OT battle with Jheryl Makaiau in the 285 state wrestling final.

Congratulations to Keith on your championship and to Alex for a successful season!

(L to R) Simeon Vierra (Kahuku), Iokepa Alcantra (Pearl City), Alex Kozuma (Moanalua), Keith Chargulaf-Tuilepa (Farrington), Kaulana Buchanan (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Abraham Hall (Saint Louis)

Team Runner-up

KAMEHAMEHA-KAPALAMA

The Warriors bested their rival Punahou (who finished 4th) after Punahou edged them out by 5 points at the ILH Championships.  This team has a talented, young nucleus returning and with Paihi Pestano anchoring the team for 3 more years, they will be aiming for a team title in the coming years.

Note – I didn’t manage to get a picture as Kainalu Matthews received the team trophy and left a little too fast for my camera.

Congratulations to Kamehameha-Kapalama on your success and to the Kamehameha-Kapalama coaching staff!

Team Champion

MOANALUA

Moanalua has always had a solid judo program, but Punahou has stood in their way the past 3 years.  Their team is very young and very talented and they will be shooting for no less than a repeat team championship next season.

Congratulations to Moanalua on your championship and to Coach Brandon Maki, Coach Scott Pak, and their staff!

Join the forum discussion on this post

2010 HHSAA State Judo Championships: Girls Finals – Matside Coverage

Attended the 2010 HHSAA State Judo Championships at the Stan Sheriff Center on May 8, 2010.  Coverage includes Girls Championship matches.

Notes/Observations:

I was hoping that the tournament organizers would hold all championship matches (Boys and Girls) on one mat which would have allowed me to give video coverage of all finals.  But they separated the Boys and Girls finals on back-to-back mats which put me in tough situation as there was no way I could run back and forth to capture all finals, so I had to choose.  With the seemingly more intriguing match-ups on the Boys side, I decided to give that side the coverage.  However, I did manage to get pictures of the awards ceremony for the Girls and they are shown under each final capsule.

Note – Finalists are listed in order according to their seeding.  The order for the finalists’ picture from left to right are 6th, 4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 5th.

98

Erin Uehara (Punahou) vs Marina Higa (McKinley)

Uehara won by wazari.  Erin, the top seed and ILH champion, defeated the 3rd seed and OIA champion Marina.  Erin placed 4th in the state last season at 98 and the senior has been on a mission this season.

Congratulations to Erin on your championship and to Marina for a successful season!

(L to R) Mary Jane Garcia (Waipahu), Taylor Vidad (Pearl City), Marina Higa (McKinley), Erin Uehara (Punahou), Meagan Aina (Kamehameha-Hawaii), Victoria Meno (Moanalua)

103

Marissa Rogers (McKinley) vs Shayla Pang-Kee (Castle)

Rogers won by ippon.  There were big upsets in this bracket as Marissa, the 9th seed, defeated Shayla, the 14th seed.  Marissa placed 3rd in the OIAs and 4th in the state last season at 103.

Congratulations to Marissa on your championship and to Shayla for a successful season!

(L to R) Shanelle Ramelb (Kapolei), Jamie Kakugawa (Campbell), Shayla Pang-Kee (Castle), Marissa Rogers (McKinley), Kimmi Lum (University), Toni Uyehara (Pearl City)

109

Brittnay Balanay (McKinley) vs Kayla Martin (Kahuku)

Balanay won by wazari.  Brittany, the top seed and OIA champion, defeated Kayla, the 10th seed.  Brittany also took home the 109 title last season and has been the cornerstone for a very successful McKinley Girls team this season.  Kayla had a nice run to reach the finals and she placed 3rd in the OIAs and was the runner-up at 109 in the state last season as well.

Congratulations to Brittany on your championship and to Kayla for a successful season!

(L to R) Mary Coroando (Kaimuki), Taylor Castro (Pearl City), Kayla Martin (Kahuku), Brittany Balanay (McKinley), Nicole Taniguchi (Punahou), Diane Mikuni (Kapolei)

115

Bree Rapoza (Kamehameha-Kapalama) vs Megan Yamaguchi (Kalani)

Rapoza won by ippon.  Bree, the 3rd seed and ILH champion, defeated Marisa, the 4th seed and OIA champion.  This was also a battle between two current state champion wrestlers.  Bree, a freshman, has proven dominant this season and it is likely that she could become a 4-time state champion in both sports.  Megan placed 3rd in the state last season.

Congratulations to Bree on your championship and to Megan for a successful season!

(L to R) Ilisha Badua (Kapolei), Ayame Higa (McKinley), Megan Yamaguchi (Kalani), Bree Rapoza (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Marisa Fukunaga (Roosevelt), Jenna Aina (Kamehameha-Hawaii)

122

Tiare Mashima (Kamehameha-Kapalama) vs Brittney Shinsato (Kalani)

Shinsato won by wazari.  Brittney, the 8th seed, upset the 2nd seed and ILH champion Tiare.  Brittney was the runner-up in the OIAs.

Congratulations to Brittney on your championship and to Tiare for a successful season!

(L to R) Liko Fukumoto (Moanalua), Tiare Mashima (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Brittney Shinsato (Kalani), Julia Afuso (Iolani), Rochelle Pagaduan (Waipahu)
Note – the organizers failed to call out 6th place finisher Shayla Rivera of King Kekaulike, but did call her up later.

129

Chrissy Chow (Punahou) vs Tanalei Louis (Konawaena)

Chow won by ippon.  Chrissy, the top seed and ILH champion, defeated Tanalei, the 3rd seed and BIIF champion.  Chrissy is a national caliber judoka with Hawaii Tenri Judo Club.  This is her 3rd state title in as many years and she will be shooting for a 4th next season.

Congratulations to Chrissy on your championship and to Tanalei for a successful season!

(L to R) Lindsay Villarmia (Aiea), Tara Srirangarajan (Iolani), Tanalei Louis (Konawaena), Chrissy Chow (Punahou), Kiana Borengasser (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Abigail Helenihi (Kapolei)

139

Morgan Yamaguchi (Kalani) vs Mindy Chow (Punahou)

Chow won by han soku make.  Mindy, the 4th seed and ILH champion, defeated Morgan, the 2nd seed and OIA champion.  Mindy is a national caliber judoka with Hawaii Tenri Judo Club.  This is her 2nd state title in as many years and she will be shooting for a 3rd next season.  Morgan placed 3rd in the state last season at 129.

Congratulations to Mindy on your championship and to Morgan for a successful season!

(L to R) Lacey Katakura-Enos (Pearl City), Rachel Factora (Campbell), Morgan Yamaguchi (Kalani), Mindy Chow (Punahou), Kayla Mishima (HBA), Kalena Shiroma (Kamehameha-Hawaii)

154

Amber Ah Sue (Kahuku) vs Kaimana Lundquist (Punahou)

Lundquist won by ippon.  Kaimana, the 3rd seed and ILH champion, defeated Amber, the top seed and OIA champion.  Kaimana is a national caliber judoka with Hawaii Tenri Judo Club.  This is her 2nd state title in as many years and she will be shooting for a 3rd next season.  Amber was the runner-up in the state last season at 154.

Congratulations to Kaimana on your championship and to Amber for a successful season!

(L to R) Tiffany Kotani (Moanalua), Jayna Koko (Roosevelt), Amber Ah Sue (Kahuku), Kaimana Lundquist (Punahou), Kasie Kashimoto (Iolani), Meridian Burrhus (Aiea)

172

Tiara Kaye (Punahou) vs Mei Ling Keiki (Pearl City)

Keiki won by ippon.  Mei Ling, the 4th seed and OIA champion, defeated Tiara, the 2nd seed and ILH champion.  This has been a great school year for Mei Ling as she also recently brought home a state title in wrestling.  Mei Ling was the runner-up in the state last season at 172.  Tiara placed 5th in the state last season at 139.

Congratulations to Mei Ling on your championship and to Tiara for a successful season!

(L to R) Joo Yeon Kang (Moanalua), Aja Gample (St. Francis) (stand-in shown), Tiara Kaye (Punahou), Mei Ling Keiki (Pearl City), Makana Borden (Kamehameha-Kapalama), Erika Bareng (Waipahu)

220

Patrice Yamane (Castle) vs Sanoe Spencer (Pearl City)

Spencer won by ippon.  Sanoe, the 12th see, upset the 3rd seed and OIA champion Patrice.  This has been a great school year for Sanoe as she also recently brought home a state title in wrestling.  Sanoe was the runner-up in the state last season at 220.  Patrice placed 3rd in the state last season at 220.

Congratulations to Sanoe on your championship and to Patrice for a successful season!

(L to R) Sade Hendricks (Leilehua), Patrice Yamane (Castle), Sanoe Spencer (Pearl City), Jamilyn Chur (Pearl City), Angela Kim (University)

Team Runner-up

PEARL CITY

This has been a great season for the Pearl City Girls.  They narrowly beat McKinley for the OIA team title by 1 point, and edged McKinley yet again by 3 points to capture the runner-up trophy.

Congratulations to Pearl City on your success and to Coach Rob Puahala and his staff!

Team Champion

PUNAHOU

Despite not placing in 4 weight classes, Punahou still managed to defend their team title by 31 points by having 4 state champions.  The team only loses Erin Uehara to graduation, so they will be shooting to defend their title again next season.

Congratulations to Punahou on your championship and to Coach Greg Chow and his staff!

Join the forum discussion on this post

2010 HHSAA State Judo Championships – Matside Coverage

Attended the 2010 HHSAA State Judo Championships at the Stan Sheriff Center on May 8, 2010. Coverage includes pictures of selected matches.

Notes/Observations:

It was great to see the number of participants from all the schools and the support for them as well. There were some critics before the start of the season who stated that with the IJF rule changes there would be a big drop in numbers of judoka. From what I saw, judo is alive and well in the islands.

With matches being conducted on six mats simultaneously, it was hectic and impossible to keep track of match details. Therefore, the following coverage includes various pictures of selected matches from non-finals matches (1st round, quarterfinals, semifinals, consolation rounds) with no captions that celebrate the spirit of the State Judo Championships.

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2010 HHSAA State Judo Championships – News Coverage

 
Lafortune takes fourth title; Moanalua, Punahou champs

The goals were to win it for himself and his team. But history painted a tough picture for Moanalua’s Brady Lafortune.

Only three other judoka have won four straight state judo titles and Moanalua, which has a young team this year, has never won a state title.

Click here for full article from The Honolulu Advertiser

 

 
Lafortune gets No. 4

Brady Lafortune couldn’t contain it any longer.

Moments after he became the fourth judoka to win an individual state title in all four high school years — and first to do so after switching to a higher weight class each year — the Moanalua senior was overcome with emotion. He pointed up with both hands at Na Menehune faithful screaming at him from the Stan Sheriff Center stands, hugged his coach and lost himself in the moment.

Click here for full article from The Honolulu Star-Bulletin

 

State judo: Medeiros, Rivera earn medals

HONOLULU — Baldwin High School’s Makalea Medeiros and King Kekaulike’s Shayla Rivera were the lone Maui Interscholastic League competitors to place at the state judo championships Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Click here for full article from The Maui News

Waiakea judoka shines

Waiakea junior Tyler Yonemori’s plan was to go hard until either his gas tank was empty or there was no air in the Stan Sheriff Center.

He brought along his nonstop motor and a belief that he could beat the best of the best at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association judo tournament.

He grinded through three opponents to capture the 145-pound boys title on Saturday, bringing home the Big Island Interscholastic Federation’s only first-place medal.

BIIF judo state finishers

Girls

98 pounds: Meagan Aina, third place, Kamehameha

115: Jenna Aina, fifth, Kamehameha

129: Tanalei Louis, runner-up, Konawaena

139: Kalena Shiroma, fifth, Kamehameha

220: Lia Nakamura, sixth, Hilo

Boys

108: Justin Raymond, sixth, Konawaena

145: Tyler Yonemori, first, Waiakea

161: Tyler Vaughn, sixth, Hilo

198: Kawika Scott, sixth, Konawaena

Click here for full article from The Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Source: SportsHigh.com

Upcoming Judo Competition

 
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at Stan Sheriff Center (University of Hawaii)

2010 HHSAA STATE JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS
10:30 AM (Finals expected to begin at 4:00 PM)
$9 adults, $5 students (grades K-12) and seniors (62 and over)
Click here to view the brackets

Sodexo will be providing a breakfast buffet for athletes and coaches for after weigh-ins for the 2010 Judo State Tournament.

MENU*
Rice
Potato
Scrambled Eggs
2 Breakfast Meats
Juice and Water
Gatorade available
*subject to change without notice

Cost: $8.00 per entry
(no food to leave room, no re-entry, cash or check)

Location: Diamond Head Room
(hallway left of Security Entrance)

Time: 9:00am – 10:30am

SEATING AND TIME IS LIMITED

Moanalua takes aim

Na Menehune co-coaches work on bettering last year’s runner-up finish in the boys judo state tourney

Two former athletes have come back to their high school alma mater in hopes of giving favored Punahou a spirited challenge in the boys judo state tournament this week.

“We have a young, inexperienced squad this year, not nearly as talented as in previous years,” Moanalua head coach Brandon Maki said. “But they are all fighters and will be ready for this weekend. Punahou is strong and the defending champ, but we want to go out there and make a challenge, not make it so easy for them.”

Click here for full article from The Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Lafortune has been talk of prep judo for four years

Brady Lafortune loves to strike up conversations with others — but sometimes it’s at the least likely moment.

Lafortune is a Moanalua senior and four-time O’ahu Interscholastic Association individual judo champion. His accolades are second to none as the 132-pound judoka has gone undefeated in his four-year prep career and Saturday, he will attempt to capture his fourth state title.

Click here for full article from The Honolulu Advertiser

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