The moment of truth is coming Saturday for Moanalua’s Noah Wusstig.
He will be out to get his fourth title in the Atlas Insurance Agency/HHSAA Judo State Championships after winning his third crown Saturday night in the OIA championships.
“Feels really good to win again,” Wusstig said after his victory by ippon over Kalani’s Kent Tanji at 145 pounds. “Last year, I lost (in OIAs to Kapolei’s Rodan Salangdron) in a major upset and that was pretty heartbreaking. I’ve been training harder and I guess it all pays off in the end. Next week is a new start. Going to go back and fix some things I need to work on.”
In the 161-pound division, Salangdron became a two-time champion by getting past Moanalua’s Trigg Salvador by hansoku-make.
Four others repeated as champions Saturday: Kaiser’s Koby Chun (121 pounds), Kapolei’s Branden Pagurayan (198), Kalani’s Phoebe Pineda-Abaya (139) and Moanalua’s Faith Joy Okubo (154).
Leilehua’s Kelani Corbett (172) added a title to go with her four wrestling championships.
In boys and girls competition combined, Na Menehune had 14 judoka in the 20 weight-class finals. Of those, five came out on top. Aside from Wusstig (who also has two state wrestling championships to his name) and Okubo, Moanalua’s Taylor Arakaki (115), Rachel Oshita (122) and Dayne Takai (108) made it to the top step.
In the team dual-match finals previously this season, Moanalua took the boys and girls trophies home by beating Pearl City.
“This is amazing,” Okubo said. “I’m a senior and this is my last time. I wanted to win so badly.”
There were two big upsets: Mililani freshman Erin Hikiji knocked off defending OIA and state champ Precious Tampos of Moanalua by ippon at 98 pounds; and Pearl City’s Anakin Mendoza won by shido over defending OIA and state titlist Keone Escaba of Moanalua.
“I didn’t think I was gonna win,” Hikiji said. “I’m pretty surprised. I thought the match was going to last a lot longer. I’m just shocked.”
Mendoza said he was named after Anakin Skywalker because his father is a big “Star Wars” fan.
“It’s always been my dream to be an OIA champ,” he said. “Now, I’m going to states and trying to be a state champion.”
Asked how he was able to get the win over the more decorated judoka, Mendoza said, “It just depends on who wants it more.”
