Punahou senior Nicolas Nakaoka pulled through for his third ILH judo championship Friday night at Kamehameha.

Nakaoka fought for a victory in his 161-pound semifinal match and went unopposed in the final when Pac-Five’s Stone Franczyk forfeited due to illness. Nakaoka barely missed out on the four-year slam, placing second a year ago.

“When you’re a freshman, you don’t really realize what’s going on,” he said. “Now that I’m a senior, I look back and am super proud of winning it three times. Huge props to my school and club coaches. This is an intermediate step, though, because ultimately it’s the state title (May 5) that everyone wants.”

Nakaoka has never won states, having placed fifth once and second twice.

In Friday’s team races, Punahou was the winner. The Buffanblu boys scored 150 points, with ‘Iolani in second at 116 and Saint Louis in third with 96. The Punahou girls chalked up 142 points. Pac-Five was second with 80, followed by ‘Iolani with 68.

In a highly anticipated boys match of two judoka who are also wrestlers, ‘Iolani’s Hunter Fujiwara beat Saint Louis’ Tyler Ibarra by ippon at 121 pounds. The match was controversial because, according to sources from both camps, Ibarra pushed Fujiwara after the throw and Fujiwara responded with unsportsmanlike posturing. There was also a question of whether the throw was legal because Ibarra might have landed on his head. In the end, the referees gave Fujiwara the win, but warned both judoka to “calm down,” told them that they could easily have been disqualified and that they “will be” disqualified if they do the same things at states.

Both Fujiwara and Ibarra went into the match with one ILH 114-pound title previously.

The girls 139-pound final was a power-packed matchup as well. Mid-Pacific’s Charlize Jasmine Pascual-Tabuyo, who hasn’t lost in Hawaii or nationally since 2013, eventually won by ippon over Punahou’s Noelle Nakaoka. It was close throughout, though. Nakaoka has also had success nationally.

For Pascual-Tabuyo, it was a second ILH title. Nakaoka was also going for a second.

“I was overwhelmed knowing I haven’t competed in a while,” said a tearful Pascual-Tabuyo, who was in only her second match since December after suffering two concussions. I do need to practice more for sure. Always practicing and learning.”

Coach Ray Bella of the Buffanblu said, “That was a great fight. Hopefully, Noelle can make adjustments and improve (for states).”

Punahou’s Brayden Bella (108 pounds) and Mid-Pacific’s Evan Nishida (132) captured their second league titles. Punahou’s Tyler Kawakami (198) and Mid-Pacific’s Sophia Saiki (109) were denied their second crowns.

“I felt like I was controlling mostly the entire time and I think that’s the reason I won,” Brayden Bella said. “I want to thank my coaches and teammates. I have the best teammates in the state right now. That’s the reason I won last year and this year, and I plan for two more.”

Nishida said, “It’s a rush. Winning this second title affirms that I’m going in the right direction.”