Winning three ILH championships is hard to do, but two juniors did it Friday night in judo at Kamehameha.
That means the fourth one is out there for the taking next year for Punahou’s Brayden Bella and Mid-Pacific’s Charlize Jasmine Pascual-Tabuyo.
Before they think about that though, there is the matter of the state tournament on May 4.
Bella has never won a state title. Pascual-Tabuyo’s story is a bit different. She won states two years ago as a freshman, but faltered and placed second last year.
“I’m hungry for a state title,” Bella said following his 114-pound victory over Mid-Pacific’s Ammen Tawfik. “Three (league crowns) is a great accomplishment. Going for four is always in the back of my mind. For me, it’s more about having fun and supporting the team.”
It will be interesting to see if Pascual-Tabuyo — who has multiple national and international gold medals — can reset after last year’s devastating loss in the state final.
On Friday, she topped Punahou’s Kiarra Young in the 139 final.
‘Iolani (167 points) captured the boys team competition, followed by Mid-Pacific (128) and Punahou (111). On the girls side, Punahou (149) prevailed as champions, with Kamehameha (128) in second and Pac-Five and ‘Iolani (90) tied for third.
Some of the night’s other highlights:
>> Kamehameha’s Laamea Harbottle upset defending champion Marisa Iha of Punahou at 122 pounds.
>> Kamehameha’s Syke Realin topped Punahou’s Kaylynn Hashiro for her second straight ILH crown at 129 pounds. Realin will be going for a second state championship at 129 on May 4.
>> Mic-Pacific senior Cameron Nishida beat Pac-Five’s Stone Franczyk by ippon for his second ILH title in a row.
>> Five other judoka became two-time league champions: Punahou’s Legend Matautia (285 pounds), Maddy Kogachi (103) and Bella Wong (154), Pac-Five’s Kaycie Tanimoto (109), and ‘Iolani’s Kari Tanji (115).
>> In the 132 pound final, ‘Iolani senior Travis Kon needed six minutes and 31 seconds (2:31 into overtime) to finally beat Mid-Pacific’s Evan Nishida by ippon for his first championship.
>> Kolby Kon, a freshman who is Travis’ brother, won his first ILH championship at 145 pounds.
ILH Judo Championships
Friday
At Kamehameha
Boys champions
108–Robert Frias, ‘Iolani
114–Brayden Bella, Punahou
121–Dylan Yee, ‘Iolani
132–Travis Kon, ‘Iolani
145–Kolby Kon, ‘Iolani
161–Cameron Nishida, Mid-Pacific
178–Francesco Coluccio, ‘Iolani
198–Hoala Meyer, Saint Louis
220–Jakob Loscalzo, Kamehameha
285–Legend Matautia, Punahou
Girls
98–Kelcie Ito, Pac-Five
103–Maddy Kogachi, Punahou
109–Kayce Tanimoto, Pac-Five
115–Kari Tanji, ‘Iolani
122–Laamea Harbottle, Kamehameha
129–Skye Realin, Kamehameha
139–Charlize Jasmine Pascual-Tabuyo
154–Bella Wong, Punahou
172–Alina Mauai, Kamehameha
Boys teams
1. ‘Iolani, 167
2. Mid-Pacific 128
3. Punahou 111
Girls teams
1. Punahou 149
2. Kamehameha 128
3. (tie) Pac-Five 90
3. (tie) ‘Iolani 90
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