Sunday, May 6, 2001
[ PREP JUDO ]
It should have been a tense situation. ILH decides first
judo champsBy Kalani Simpson
Star-BulletinIn yesterday's finals of the first-ever Interscholastic League of Honolulu judo championships, with somebody with a death grip on his gi, trying to throw him in the sweat and struggle and strain of competition, Ben Wilmore just couldn't stop grinning.
Across from him, Raymond Peabody was also throwing him knowing looks between determined throws, and the two St. Louis teammates had a lot of fun with their familiar matchup before Peabody was crowned the 114-pound title by ippon.
"We always go against each other," Wilmore explained.
St. Louis took the all-in-the-family approach a step further on its way to the first ILH boys' judo team title. Coach Lionel Shiroma coaches with one son and has two more on the team, including newly crowned 180-pound champion Lane. Trailing Pac-5 by nine points going into yesterday's finals, the Saints won all seven of their championship matches to pull ahead, while Pac-5 ended the day with only one individual champion to finish in second place as a team.
"I guess all the hard practice paid off," Coach Shiroma said.
On the girls' side, Kamehameha dominated, sending 10 Warriors into the finals and ending the day with seven individual champions. "They really excelled," Kamehameha coach Mike Tanimoto said. "They peaked at the right time." Tanimoto, who also served as the Warriors' girls wrestling coach, said the same girls moved on with him to judo, earning their second ILH crown in as many sports. The bond created in wrestling season carried on to judo, he said. "These girls would pretty much die for me."
Charis Kepoo of Kamehameha unofficially became the first conference champion in ILH judo history at her weigh-in, as she was unopposed in the girls' 160-pound bracket.
The makai bleachers at Kekuhaupio Gym at Kamehameha Schools were nearly filled for portions of the first ILH championships, and several coaches praised St. Louis for running a smooth tournament.
Notes:
Iolani coach Neal Takamoto, ranked No. 1 in the country in the open weight class, will compete this summer in the Pacific Rim and World Championships.
ILH Judo Championships
Boys
St. Louis 169; Pac-Five 141; Kamehameha 106; Punahou 65; Iolani 46.Champions: 105--A.J. Pang (K) dec. Billy Toyozaki (P5); 114--Raymond Peabody (Stl) ippon Ben Wilmore (Stl); 123--Troy Takahashi (Stl) wazari Brent Kakesako (Iol); 132--Travis Lee (Stl) ippon Tyson Nam (P5); 141--Ethan Lum (P5) ippon Jeremy Otani (Pun); 150--Jon Spiker (Stl) ippon Hoku Kinzie (P5); 165--Aaron Ramey (Iol) ippon Jansen Fukuda (P5); 180--Lane Shiroma (Stl) ippon Jordan Fontanilla (K); 200--Chris Sokugawa (Stl) ippon Manaia Alamua (Pun); 275--Prince Brown (Stl) ippon Lane Saito (P5).
Girls
Kamehameha 170; Pac-Five 91; Iolani 50; Punahou 46.Champions: 98--Kanana Dang (K) ippon Amber Yin (Iol); 103--Jenn Cho (Iol) ippon Misha Nishiki (Pun); 109--Tariya Enos (K) ippon Kerri Tenno (P5); 115--Janelle Hanaike (K) ippon Celia Steveaux (Iol); 121--Livia Long (K) ippon Aimee Wakai (Pun); 128--Jayme Obata (P5) ippon Ciara Higa (K); 145--Jennifer Miyahira (P5) ippon Justina Lewis (K); 160--Charis Kepoo (K) unopposed; 200--Iwalani Fonoimoana (K) ippon Lahela Forbes (K).
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