ISLE PROFILE
Mililani judoka earns gold, respect at nationals
By Kalani Takase
Special to The Advertiser
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| Mililani High School junior Corey Jo Tashima practices an uchimata (inner thigh throw) on Catherine Chan during a recent workout at the Shobukan Judo Club.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser |
"I don't really do anything for fun. I'm always at judo," she said. "But for me, judo is fun."
Tashima, a Mililani High School junior, parlayed her "fun" into success at the recent U.S. Judo Federation Junior and Youth National Championships.
Tashima won one of 11 gold medals by Hawai'i judoka and was awarded the Female Sportsmanship Award. A total of 624 athletes competed in the two-day event, which was held in Boca Raton, Fla., on the campus of Florida Atlantic University, July 26 and 27.
Tashima won the Juvenile B (15- and 16-year-olds), 48 kilograms and under division (105 pounds). The Mililani-native belongs to Shobukan Judo Club in Kalihi.
Tashima said she felt proud to win a title in a junior national tournament after having competing in a few before.
Tashima also won her division in the first Hawai'i high school judo state championships this past season. Competing then for Pearl City High, she captured the under-109-pound division. She has since transferred to Mililani.
Tashima first began competing in judo as an 8-year-old in Pearl City.
"The director of the summer fun at Kanoelani Elementary talked me into trying judo," she said, not being able to remember his name.
Tashima quickly progressed through the ranks. Those familiar with judo say it takes about 10 years to achieve a black belt. Tashima attained her first-degree black belt in eight years.
But success on the national level didn't come easily for Tashima. She spent countless hours at Shobukan in preparation for the national event.
"She was here seven days a week, from 5:30 (p.m.) to 10:30 or so," said Sensei Jon Koomoa. "She's one of the hardest-working judo players we have."
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"I knew that if I wanted to be a champion, then it wasn't going to be easy," she said.
Now, even with her training for the national tournament over, Tashima remains steadfast in her love for judo.
She can be found nearly every night at practice and still competes in local tournaments every month.
"I love judo," Tashima said. "It's just something fun for me. I'm still not convinced I'm very good at it and I still get scared and nervous before I play."
She apparently hides it well.
Wherever she is, whatever the predicament, a smile can always be found on her face, although not always at the best time.
"My dad would scold me and I would start smiling, and it just made him more mad," she said. "I can't help it though, I don't do it on purpose."
"She's a bright spot in our club," said Koomoa. "She always has fun and enjoys practices. It's hard to remember she's a black belt sometimes because she's real nurturing and a friend to the younger judoka."
At the nationals, Tashima came out on top of a division with eight competitors. In her first match, she disposed of her opponent in 12 seconds by ippon, or full-point, and consequently ended the match.
"I was really nervous," she said. "My first match always has the biggest impact on me because it wakes me up and sets the tempo for the rest of the day."
Tashima faced a nationally ranked opponent in her semifinal match. She trailed in the match but eventually won by pin fall.
Once she reached the final, Tashima said, "One of my coaches pulled me to the side so no one could distract me.
"Earlier in the day, Sensei Jon said to me 'Make me proud.' It was his birthday."
After her victory, Tashima showed why she was given the sportsmanship award.
"Corey stayed there to cheer on the person she had just beat, who was fighting for third," said Koomoa. "That showed a lot of character on her part."
She then proceeded to thank each of her coaches. "When I got to sensei Jon, I couldn't help but start crying," she said. Although Koomoa has been her coach for less than a year, she credits him with elevating her judo.
"There was definitely a sense of pride for me," Koomoa said. "As a coach, to see your student progress that much, it was not only satisfying, but rewarding. It was a great birthday gift."
NOTES: Hawai'i held its own with the nation's best in the U.S. Judo Federation Junior and Youth Nationals, capturing 23 medals in more than 90 divisions. Its medal count put Hawai'i behind California and Florida, which placed 77 and 48 athletes, respectively.
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United States Judo Federation
Junior and Youth National
Championships
July 26-27 at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla.
Hawai'i results
Contestant's name, hometown, club name
GIRLS DIVISION
Bantam
- 27 Kg: 1. Bree Rapoza, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri Judo.
Intermediate 2
- 34 Kg: 1. Taylor Ibera, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri Judo. 38 Kg: 1. Chrissy Chow, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri. 42 Kg: 2. Risha Mishima, Honolulu, Shobukan Judo.
Intermediate 1
- 30Kg: 1. Melinda Chow, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri. 34Kg: 1. Kayla Mishima, Honolulu, Shobukan.
Juvenile C
- 44 Kg: 1. Whitney Elizaga, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri.
Juvenile B
- 48 Kg: 1. Corey Jo Tashima, Mililani, Shobukan; 3. Lisa Katsura, Honolulu, Torai Hawai'i.
Juvenile A
- 48 kg: 3. Tani Ader, 'Ewa Beach, Hawai'i Tenri.
BOYS DIVISION
Bantam
- 27 Kg: 1. Chaeden Grace-Reyes, Pearl City, Hawai'i Tenri; 3. Aaron Peltier, Kailua, Shobukan. 31 Kg: 3. Marcus Ornelles, Honolulu, Shobukan.
Intermediate 2
- 31 Kg: 2. Logan Bucsit, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri. 42 Kg: 1. Patrick Sheehan, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri. 53 Kg: 3. Nicholas Chang, Honolulu, Shobukan.
Intermediate 1
- 26 Kg: 2. David Terao, Honolulu, Shobukan. 30 Kg: 2. Ren Hirokawa, Wahiawa, Shobukan; 3. Lance Asuka, 'Aiea, Shobukan. 43 Kg: 2. Tylar Peltier, Kailua, Shobukan.
Juvenile C
- 81 Kg: 2. Sean Shinjo, Mililani, Shobukan. 90 Kg: 1. Shingo Katsura, Honolulu, Tokai Hawai'i.
Juvenile A
- 44 kg: 1. Arnold Toriumi, Honolulu, Hawai'i Tenri.
Special Awards
Outstanding First Day
- Female — Melinda Chow, Honolulu
Sportsmanship First Day
- Female — Corey-Jo Tashima, Mililani
