Chargers Hyped At Chance For Third Straight Judo Title
By Jack Danilewicz
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The Pearl City boys judo team was a living example of what it means to perform with grace under pressure at last year’s Oahu Interscholastic Association Team championships, winning its last three matches to make up a 27-point deficit to overtake Moanalua by a scant three points.
Veteran Charger coach Ivan Yoshimura hopes his Chargers can remove the suspense early on from this year’s OIA Team Championships, which will take place at Aiea May 3, although he knows his team will once again be competing in a pressure-packed environment.
“It will be exciting,” said Yoshimura, whose team is going for a third consecutive OIA title and eighth overall in his tenure. “The gym is usually rocking - the noise level is something - so it should be interesting. It was really close last year.”
The Chargers followed up their OIA title last spring by defeating Punahou at the HHSAA state judo championships, and with four individual state champions back in the fold, Pearl City is plainly the team to beat again this postseason in both the state as well as within its own league format. As in past years, from a “team” perspective, Yoshimura sees the Chargers’ large roster as one of the program’s strong suits.
“There’s strength in numbers,” said Yoshimura, whose current boys’ roster totals 45 entering Saturday’s OIA West Division individual championships (10:30 a.m.) at Leilehua.“We always try to develop as many kids as we can in case someone can’t play. Filling out all 10 weight classes is a key to winning. Fortunately, we have a full team again.”
Leading the way for the Chargers this season is senior Christian Pavo, who is seeking to become the first four-time state champion in the boys division. Last year, he competed at 198, but he could move into another weight class by the time of the 2008 state judo championships, which will take place on May 10 at the Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawaii campus.
“We’re not sure where he’ll go in yet, but he’ll be the person to beat regardless of what weight class,” Yoshimura said. “Basically, his experience is his strength. He’s been in judo since he was a kid.”
Senior Bill Takeuchi also took home an individual state title in the 114-pound class last May, but his status for the remainder of the season is uncertain as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
“It depends on getting medical clearance from the doctors and training staff, but he’s coming along,“Yoshimura said.“His strength is his tenacity. He’s on the attack non-stop. He never runs out of gas.”
Pearl City also boasts defending state champions in Andy Toyama (220) and Tyler Laufii (275). The output of both should figure big in the Chargers’ pursuit of a team title this weekend, in Yoshimura’s view.
“We have a lot of strong heavy-weights, and that’s a big plus,” he said. “That is something that a lot of other schools lack.”
Some of Toyama’s stiffest competition has come largely in practice,where he battles with fellow senior Joe Moe in the same weight class.
“It’s pretty much a toss-up between the two,” said Yoshimura, whose coaching staff includes Robin Puahala, Jayson Plunkett and Jaycee Corpuz.“Their match (at the state tournament) went into overtime, so it will be pretty close again. Joe is physically stronger, although he is a more seasonal player. Andy has been working on judo throughout the year.”
Laufii recently added a state individual wrestling title to his resume and will be “the person to beat” in his weight class.
“He uses his head - he’s intelligent - and for his size, he’s quick on his feet,” Yoshimura said.
“As a group, they’re working pretty hard,“he added.“They really want to defend their title. Hopefully, the four can defend their titles as well.”
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