Kapolei’s Salangdron back on top in OIA judo

Kapolei’s Rodan Salangdron is back at the top of his game and has a third OIA judo title to prove it.

At the league championships Saturday night at Leilehua, Salangdron took back what Moanalua’s Noah Wusstig stole last year by beating him in the 145-pound final. Salangdron, who was an OIA champion as a freshman and a sophomore and captured one state title in that span, lost to Wusstig in the final of the OIAs and states a year ago.

Both will be competing at the 2018 state championships at the Stan Sheriff Center on May 5.

“Noah Wusstig is a good player,” Salangdron said. “All the training I did and all the improvement over the summer really helped me. I kept pushing harder and harder. My parents always tell me to never give up, so that’s what I did. I tried my hardest.”

Wusstig, who is a two-time OIA champ, wants to get his mojo back for states.

“It’s my fault and I’ll take it like a man and come back next week,” he said. “Hopefully, it works out my way. All credit to Rodan. It was just his day today.”

In the marquee girls matchup Saturday, Mililani’s Mayu Wise denied Roosevelt’s Macy Higa a fourth OIA championship with her victory at 122 pounds.

“I came up short, but she’s a really good judoka and she caught me, so congratulations to her,” said Higa, who also owns one state title. “It’s frustrating and disappointing, but I mean it’s humbling. It means I have to work harder (for states).”

Wise had some sterling credentials going into the match, too. She now has two OIA championships and will be going for a third state title.

“I countered her and got a yuko from it,” said Wise, who had two shidos and would have been disqualified with one more. “When I got my second shido, I was worried that I might lose. After I got that yuko counter, it made me feel more energized. Macy is one of my really good friends. We practice together for Team Hawaii. She has great sportsmanship and I love competing against her. She gives me very hard matches and is a very big challenge and she motivates me to practice harder.”

Moanalua’s Amanda Higa, no relation to Macy, caught up to Macy’s three OIA crowns. She beat Campbell’s Chelsea Johnny in the 115-pound final.

“It’s really awesome to get three,” she said. “It’s really hard to even get on the podium, so I have to work super hard.”

Amanda Higa, a one-time state champ, lost out on a four-year league slam during her junior year, when she suffered a concussion during wrestling season and did not compete in judo.

No team championships were held Saturday. Previously, the Moanalua girls and Pearl City boys captured the team titles.

Pearl City’s Kayla Odo (109 pounds), Kalani’s Zoe Tateyama (139), Moanalua’s Chase Wusstig (178), Kalani’s Kailer Okura (198) and McKinley’s Laulii Iosefa (220) all came away with their second OIA title.

Kahuku senior Teniya Alo, who is concentrating on her wrestling future, did not participate in judo this season. She was a two-time ILH judo champ at ‘Iolani and a one-time OIA winner with the Red Raiders, who also won two state championships.