For more than a year, Cole Chandler was content to sit on the sideline, biding his time.

The former Kaiser state judo champion at 114 pounds made a big move after his freshman year, transferring to Mid-Pacific. That meant sitting out one season in the sport.

On Friday night, Chandler made his biggest mark since 2012, winning the ILH boys title at 145 pounds at the league’s individual championships in Kamehameha’s Kekuhaupio Gymnasium. Now competing for Pac-Five, he threw Ryne Sato of Punahou (ippon) to win his semifinal, then defeated Ka’ai Conradt of Kamehameha.

"I countered him," Chandler said. "He tried a drop seoinage and I pretty much threw him on his back (scoring a waazari), then I pinned him."

Chandler, like teammate Joshua Terao, won his league title and is one of the top favorites for the upcoming state championships on May 10. He has no regrets about transferring to his new school.

"It was a better opportunity for my education. It was worth the wait, plus I get to train with Josh," said Chandler, noting the challenge of battling the four-time ILH and state judo champ.

At 132 pounds, Terao won his quarterfinal and semifinal matches by ippon (throw), and his finals opponent pulled out due to injury. Terao’s conditioning, skill and drive are almost legendary. In the winter, he won his fourth wrestling championship in a row. Judo, his earliest sport, is still a passion.

"It’s kind of similar to last year. I feel my skill and technique have gotten better since last year," he said.

Chandler’s low-key, focused approach belies his age, being just a junior. He had never faced Conradt. In two regular-season dual-meet matches with Kamehameha, Chandler played up at 160 pounds to help the Wolfpack gain points.

"We always want to beat the bigger schools with the bigger names."

Chandler competes year-round for Hawaii Tenri Judo Club, which he joined as a 9-year-old. Earlier in the year, he competed at the World Cadet Championships in Florida. It’s been a long time since he lost nationally.

It wasn’t an easy night for returning champions, many of whom changed divisions since winning their gold medals last year. Punahou’s Skye Sakashita, the top seed in girls 103, defeated Taylor Miyao of Pac-Five (St. Andrew’s). Miyao, the second seed, was last year’s 109 ILH champ. She wrestled in the winter at 105, then moved down to 103, still competing at an elite level.

Last year’s 103 girls champ, Hilinai Meyer, lost in the final to Punahou’s Jessica Oda.

ILH JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

GIRLS

1. Punahou 132; 2. Kamehameha 99; 3. Pac-Five 60; 4. ‘Iolani 6.

BOYS

1. ‘Iolani 131; 2. Punahou 121; 3. Kamehameha 93; 4. Pac-Five 77; 5. Damien 46; 6. Saint Louis 6.

OIA JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Waipahu High School

GIRLS

CHAMPSIONSHIP

Pearl City 77, Mililani 20

10 point winners–PC: Adrienne Nazareno, Chastyne Dolor, Joen Tominaga, Netanya Kang, Trudi Eltagonde. Mil:Kaylin Castro, Haylie Shinsato.

SEMIFINALS

Pearl City 80, Roosevelt 20

Mililani 80, McKinley 10

QUARTERFINALS

Mililani 60, Moanalua 40

Roosevelt 60, Campbell 40

Pearl City 92, Farrington 0

McKinley 60, Aiea 40

BOYS

CHAMPIONSHIP

Kapolei 60, Moanalua 40

10 point winners–Kapo:Jayson Paguragan, Anthony Brett, Bryson Hughes, Isaiah Alapai. Moan:Calaeb Reyes, Chevy Felecilda, Kulana Salera, Zorich Palimoo.

SEMIFINAL

Moanalua 50, Mililani 40

Kapolei 80, Pearl City 20

QUARTERFINALS

Mililani 65, Castle 30

Pearl City 70, Roosevelt 30

Moanalua 82, Campbell 10

Kapolei 87, Kalani 10