It takes a lot more than four years to win four straight state judo championships.
Just ask Kamehameha’s Bree Rapoza and Dane Pestano, who became the ninth and 10th judoka to do just that at the HHSAA State Judo Championships at the Stan Sheriff Center on Saturday.
Pestano helped the Kamehameha Schools boys capture the team title with 66 points. Kapolei and Moanalua tied for second with 55 points. On the girls side, the Pearl City Chargers were the state champs with 72 points. Rapoza helped her Kamehameha team finish second with 56, edging Mililani as the Trojans were third with 53 points.
As for Rapoza, she has been honing her craft for 12 years, and Pestano has been at it for just as long. Rapoza beat Sherese Ader of Pearl City for No. 4 after cruising through the bracket earlier in the day. She would prefer to be judged on her body of work rather than her last time in the spotlight.
"Honestly I could have done better in that match," Rapoza said. "But a win is a win."
Rapoza is going to Missouri Baptist on a wrestling scholarship, and will hang up the gi unless she finds a club and gets back into the sport to help her balance in wrestling. Her last official act as reigning judo royalty was a hug for her coach and holding up four fingers to the crowd while he lifted her off her feet.
"It’s a relief. It’s something I have been waiting for since freshman year," Rapoza said. "It’s kind of bittersweet, I am happy I got four, but I’m sad that it’s over. I’m never going to be able to do judo again."
Pestano achieved his grand slam with a win over Mililani’s Dayton Furuta in 55 seconds, grabbing him in a taitoshi and throwing him to the mat. Like Rapoza, Pestano has wrestling in his future, and if he continues on with judo it will have to be a recreational thing. Pestano is going to wrestle at Iowa State.
"It hasn’t sunk in yet," Pestano said. "Maybe tomorrow. Just all of the hard work, all of the fun and it paid off with four titles."
Mid-Pacific’s Joshua Terao is next in line to join Pestano and Rapoza on the list after the junior beat Jaycob Deguzman of Kamehameha for his third straight state crown. Terao is also a three-time state champion in wrestling.
"I was kind of stressing over it this year," Terao said. "I had to put in a lot of extra work, but since I got it I am going for the fourth one."
A Terao has won a state title every year since the tournament began in 2008. His brother, David, won state titles from 2008 to 2011.
Kamehameha freshman Teshya Alo is on the list of judoka with the talent to follow Rapoza, Pestano and Terao. She beat Skye Matsuura of Waiakea for the 129-pound title.
Unseeded Chale Chee of Kahuku was the first television star of the night, beating Maia Phanthadara of Roosevelt for the girls’ 98-pound title. Jordan Ng of ‘Iolani followed with a win over league rival Cameron Kato of Punahou for his second straight crown. Chaeden Grace-Reyes of Moanalua (198) and Weston Akamine of Roosevelt (275) also secured their second state titles.
Kapolei’s Kaelynn Canyete moved up in weight to challenge for her third straight state title, but Kahuku’s Jahya Costa dashed her dream by throwing her early and holding on while Canyete threatened to pin her but ran out of time. Costa, a senior, had never been in a final before.
"I just wanted to give it my all since it is my last year," Costa said. "I just felt like I shouldn’t be afraid of her because I have nothing to lose. It’s the best feeling ever."
