Punahou junior Brayden Bella became a three-time ILH judo champion Friday night at Kamehameha’s Kekuhaupio Gym. Next year, he’ll go for four.
Before he gets that chance for the slam, Bella has his eyes on a bigger fish. He has yet to win at states and will take another shot May 4 at the Stan Sheriff Center in the Atlas Insurance Agency/HHSAA Judo State Championships.
On Friday, Bella found himself in a tough final in the 114-pound class against Mid-Pacific’s Ammen Tawfik. In the latter stages, Bella won by ippon.
“I’m hungry for a state title,” he said following the match. “Three (league crowns) is a great accomplishment. It was only done because of my parents. They’ve been there for me since I’ve been doing this sport since age 5. And because of my teammates who support me the entire season and the offseason. Going for four is always in the back of my mind. For me, it’s more about having fun and supporting the team.”
Things keep rolling along for Mid-Pacific junior Charlize Jasmine Pascual-Tabuyo, who defeated Punahou’s Kiarra Young at 139 pounds for her third ILH championship. Pascual-Tabuyo is also gearing up for states, where she won as a freshman but placed second as a sophomore.
‘Iolani (167 points) captured the boys team competition, followed by Mid-Pacific (128) and Punahou (111). On the girls side, Punahou (149) prevailed as champions, with Kamehameha (128) in second and Pac-Five and ‘Iolani (90) tied for third.
The biggest upset of the night came in girls 122 pounds, with Kamehameha’s Laamea Harbottle knocking off defending champion Marisa Iha of Punahou by ippon.
“She’s been beating me since the eighth grade,” Harbottle said about Iha. “I always have had this mental block with her, but I started to change things around with my training and at practices and with my mind-set. I respect her a lot. She always gives me her all. I thank her because she made me a better person and a better judoka.”
Kamehameha’s Syke Realin topped Punahou’s Kaylynn Hashiro for her second straight ILH crown at 129 pounds. Realin, who is only a sophomore, is dreaming for the four-year league slam and also wants to repeat at states.
“It’s good to win the ILH, but the main goal is states,” Realin said. “I’m trying to stay focused on that.”
It only took a split second for Cameron Nishida, a Mid-Pacific senior, to flash a big smile after beating Pac-Five’s Stone Franczyk by ippon for his second ILH title in a row.
“I’m super grateful for this and thankful for all my family and everybody who helped me get to this point,” Nishida said. “I wouldn’t be here without them. There’s so much at stake when a title is on the line, so prevailing feels really good.”
Five other judoka became two-time league champions: Punahou’s Legend Matautia (285 pounds), Maddy Kogachi (103) and Bella Wong (154), Pac-Five’s Kaycie Tanimoto (109), and ‘Iolani’s Kari Tanji (115).
In the most competitive match of the night, ‘Iolani’s Travis Kon needed six minutes and 31 seconds (2:31 into overtime) to finally beat Mid-Pacific’s Evan Nishida by ippon at 132 pounds.
Kon felt bad for Nishida, who hurt his shoulder in the match.
“I think (the shoulder) had an effect,” Kon said. “I apologized. We’ve played each other three times this year and have been competing against each other since we were freshmen. He’s a tough competitor. Hopefully we play each other in states.”
