OIA SWEEPS THE STATE JUDO TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

           Is there anything more emblematic of a true one on one battle than judo?  There is wrestling and boxing. But this is about the HHSAA Judo Championships so you can see what will take the lead here.

In its 5th year, the 2007 State Championships saw 307 judokas compete in boys and girls divisions and in 10 different weight classes.  The typical marathon day for a judo competition at the Stan Sheriff Center started at 11:30a with weigh ins, and the champions were not crowned until after 9:00p.

It was an OIA sweep for the team titles.   

Pearl City won the boys championship to maintain their dominance in the sport with their 4th title. Coach Robin Puahala also saw junior Christian Pavo win his 3rd state title in the 198 pound weight class.   Other individual winners were Bill Takeuchi, 114 pounds; Andy Toyama, 220 pounds; and Tyler Lauifi, 275 pounds.

For the girls, Mckinley won their 1st state championship, barely beating out Kamehameha 53-52.  Individually, senior Lianne Tomishima won her 4th state title, this year in the 122 pound class.  She becomes the first judoka to ever win 4 titles.  Other individual state winners were Asami Kobata in the 172 pound class, and Nora Kent in the 139 pound class.

Congratulations to all of this year�??s individual State Champions!

BOYS                                                                                     GIRLS

108          Brady Lafortune                   Moanalua          98           Taylor Ibera                  Farrington

114          Bill Takeuchi                     Pearl City            103          Keiko Akamine                 Iolani

121          Reid Oshiro                       Punahou             109          Carla Watase                  Iolani

132          Arnold Toriumi                    Punahou            115          Megan Yamaguchi               Kalani

145          Bryan Fujiwara                    Moanalua          122          Lianne Tomishima              Mckinley

161          Richard Torres                    Kahuku              129          Risha Mishima                 Hawaii Baptist Academy

178          Daniel Chow                       Punahou            139          Nora Kent                     Mckinley

198          Christian Pavo                    Pearl City            154          Relle Sato                    Hilo

220          Andy Toyama                       Pearl City         172          Asami Kobata                  Mckinley

275          Tyler Lauifi                      Pearl City        220          Randolyn Nohara Kamehameha-Kapalama