Tomishima first 4-time champ

Tigers win the girls title and Chargers are top boys judo team

A smile of joy filled the face of Lianne Tomishima of McKinley after she was crowned champion of the 122-pound weight class yesterday at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Judo State Tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"This was certainly one of my most memorable matches," Tomishima said in a happy voice right after she stepped off of the mat. She ends her high school career as the first judoka to win four state titles. Tomishima won the state title in the 115 weight class in 2004, 139 in 2005, and 129 in 2006.

"It was really hard out there," said Tomishima. "Everybody has their day. I'm just thankful that this day was mine. Winning four titles has been my goal since my freshman year. I worked really hard for it."

Tomishima defeated Farrington's Tani Ader, who was a two-time state champion in lower weight classes. Tomishima won the 5-minute match by a decision based on penalties. Ader had defeated Tomishima by decision earlier this season for the Oahu Interscholastic Association title.

"I just tried to shoot more, because in the past two times I played her (Ader) I always got called for stalling. So I went back to practice and I knew I needed to attack more consistently," said Tomishima

Tomishima's teammates, Nora Kent and Asami Kobata, won state titles in the 139- and 172-pound classes to lead McKinley to the girls state title. The Tigers narrowly beat Kamehameha by one point, 53-52.

Pearl City won the boys state title amassing 99 points. Punahou finished in second place with 88 points.

The Chargers' Bill Takeuchi won the boys state title in the 114-pound class, Christian Pavo took the title in the 198-pound division, Andy Toyama was a winner in the 220 weight class and Tyler Lauifi sealed the team victory by winning the 275 weight class title. Pavo had previously won state titles in the 178 weight class.

Punahou had three winners in the boys competition as Reid Oshiro won the 121 weight class, Arnold Toriumi captured the 132 weight class and Daniel Chow took the 178 weight class. Oshiro was a state titlist in the 114 weight class last season. Toriumi, who won the 121 weight class state crown in 2006, defeated Moanalua's Justin Osumi, a state title winner in the 108 weight class last year.

Top seed Brady Lafortune of Moanalua won the 108 weight class boys state title, while teammate Bryan Fujiwara won in the 145 weight class.

Kahuku's Richard Torres earned a boys state title in the 161 weight class, beating Shandon Augustus of the Word of Life Academy.

Sophomore Taylor Ibera of Farrington successfully defended her girls state title in the 98 weight class, while Hilo's Relle Sato won her second girls state title in the 154 weight class.

Two girls state titles respectively went to Iolani's Keiko Akamine in the 103 weight class and Carla Watase in the 109 weight class.

Megan Yamaguchi of Kalani won the girls state title in the 115 weight class, Risha Mishima of Hawaii Baptist was a winner in the 129 weight class and Randolyn Nohara takes custody of the 220 weight class state title.