"Good job, Joshua," Terao said as he patted fellow Shobukan Judo Club teammate Joshua Moon at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

The two 8-year-olds competed on the first day of a tournament that features more than 1,000 competitors ages 7 to 19 from across the United States. The older judoka wrap up the tournament starting today at 8 a.m.

"It feels great," Terao said of the win. "It feels kind of weird because I thought he would be in the upper division but he wasn't."

Moon said it didn't feel awkward facing Terao in the final "because he is from my dojo."

They practice together at Shobukan, and Terao said that helped because "I trained hard with him."

Michael Fujiuchi of Hodokan Judo Club controls Jean-Pierre Durand of Florida in winning the Juvenile B, 60-kilogram title.

"He said he was having trouble with the overhand grip so I taught him some stuff on what I do, to help him," said Tashima, who recently completed her junior year at Mililani High School.

Tashima and sensei Ross Migita watched the two 8-year-olds in the final with Tashima yelling, "Go Joshua!" and Migita saying he didn't know who to cheer for.

"It helps them with their confidence level," Tashima said. "They see how much it takes to go on to a national level. From a local tournament to a national level, it's totally different. There's a lot more people and there are various judo styles."

The junior national tournament is a major event, according to Dale Shiraki, president of the Kona Hongwanji Judo Club from Kealakekua on the Big Island. His club competes in local tournaments, but the junior nationals is "two to three times bigger."

"We brought 13 (judoka) just to get the experience of what nationals is," Shiraki said. "To come home with a medal, any of kind of medal, is awesome."

Aimee Shiraki, 8, took home a silver medal for Kona in the Bantam I, over 35-kg division.

"It feels good," said Shiraki, who added the best part about yesterday was getting her first ippon, a match-ending full point.

Her club did monthly car washes for a produce company to raise money for the trip. Venice Judo Club from Culver City, Calif., also washed cars, hosted a tournament and sold T-shirts while one family budgeted the trip as part of its summer vacation.

"It's a big thing for her to come all the way out here," said Loren Alving, whose daughter Ali Alving-Trinh competes for the West Clovis Judo Club in Fresno, Calif. "I want her to learn that hard work is important and that if she tries really hard and does her best, that is the most important thing." Alving said.

Anthony Kwon of Hodokan Judo Club, right, attacks Jacob Hoshino of the Waipahu Hongwanji Judo Club. Kwon won the match.

"At first it's scary," Ali, 8, said. "But after you get used to it, you get into it. The first match I was very nervous but since I won the first match, I got more confidence."

Kayla Mishima, 10, of Shobukan, overcame her nerves and won her second straight gold by taking the Intermediate I, 38-kg division.

"It feels good because I'm still winning," she said.

Hodokan's Michael Fujiuchi, who won the Juvenile B, 60-kg title over Jean-Pierre Durand of Florida, said he was relieved that it was finally over.

"My sensei just told me to play my game," said Fujiuchi, who will be a junior at McKinley this fall. "Play hard like how I always play and don't get frustrated."

While some judoka cried at the end of their matches or, in frustration, refused to bow their heads, the tournament served as a learning experience for many who look to further their judo careers.

Suzanne Aceret of Los Angeles hopes the competition will serve as motivation for her 7-year-old daughter, Jennifer, who won the Bantam I, 31-kg class.

"It inspires her because she sees the kids in our judo club and they inspire and motivate her," said Aceret, whose daughters Jessica, 11, and Jennifer competed for Venice Judo Club. "It's good for the kids. It keeps them out of trouble."