"I love to cheer him on even though I'm all the way in Iraq right now," said Brandon, who is an Army psychiatrist and Moanalua High alum. "He has been taking judo ever since he could walk."

Moanalua has never had a freshman state judo champion. Derron is one of four freshmen from Moanalua in the state tournament, along with Kim Miyamasu (90 pounds), Julian Garay (145) and Danica Kamakana (125).

Derron, who carries a 3.8 grade point average, could also become the family's first state champ. Brandon, 24, and Aaron, 22, excelled at Moanalua and national tournaments, but Hawai'i did not field its first state tournament until 2003.

"It would be an accomplishment," said Derron, who won national titles in 1998, 2001 and 2004.

"In the beginning, my brothers said, 'You better do good,' and they would encourage me," said Derron, who started the sport when he was 3, and practices at the Salt Lake Judo Club alongside his father, Randall, who is an instructor. "About two years ago, they started going a little harder in practice. Now we try to beat each other."

Derron said Brandon has provided support from Iraq as the two talk about once a month.

"He is a very disciplined young man and works hard at whatever he does," Brandon said. "He is the best judoka out of the three of us in our family."

Their mother, Sandra, agrees, saying her youngest son has been the most successful at national tournaments, and the most consistent performer.

"Brandon excelled after he went to Japan for a couple of months of training," the mother said. "The No. 2 (Aaron) had the outstanding trophies. But this one, (Derron), he's been steady. He's been holding his ground all the way, so far."

When he was a high school sophomore, Brandon traveled to Japan and learned new skills. He passed that knowledge on to Derron, who said it helped improve his judo.

"Japanese style is more technique, and a lot of uchikomi (in-out repetition movement), and a lot of practice," Derron said. "With the Japanese, anything they do, they do 110 percent. It takes a lot of effort to come to that type of level."

Brandon is tentatively scheduled to return to Hawai'i next month after deploying in January, according to his mother. Derron is thankful that his oldest brother is out of harm's way.

"I'm not too worried about him because he's a psychiatrist," Derron said. "He's not really one of those guys on the front line. He has another important job — he keeps (troops) mentally safe."

Moanalua judo coach Richard Nakatsu said he was impressed with Derron's ability to focus on judo and academics while dealing with Brandon being in Iraq.

"I think he's pretty strong inside," said Nakatsu, who added that Derron's best judo skill is his two-arm shoulder throw. "He's hung in there. He's such a young guy, and he's carried himself well for his age. He has a very good chance to take the state title as a freshman."

Derron attends two judo practices on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He also studies late into the night, sometimes well into the early morning hours before tests. He said he manages to stay focused by "thinking straight" and being positive.

"I don't think negatively," said Derron, adding he prefers to think about "when my brother is coming home" and not worry about what harm could become of him. "I don't think about the what ifs. You have to keep a straight mind about things.

"I don't say, 'What if I get a B grade,' " said Derron, who aspires to be a doctor. "I just think straight, and say, 'I'm going to try to get a 4.0,' and keep that kind of attitude and eventually get that 4.0, or eventually win states, hopefully."