Taylor Takata, a 2000 Iolani School graduate from Wahiawa, won the gold medal in the 66-kilogram (145- pound) division at the USA Judo Senior National Championships this past weekend in Houston.

Takata defeated 2005 silver medalist Nate Torra of El Cerrito, Calif., in a closely contested championship match in which both judoka made numerous attempts to score. Takata held on to win the title and received the Best Male Technique Award.

Takata, along with other division winners, earned a spot on the U.S. team that will compete at the Pan American Championships, May 24 to 29 in Buenos, Aires, Argentina.

In divisions involving other athletes from Hawai'i: Arnold Toriumi (Honolulu) shared fifth place in the men's 55kg (121 pounds), Taylor Ibera (Honolulu) shared third in the women's 44kg (96.8 pounds), Tabitha Lum (Maryknoll graduate) shared third in the women's 48kg (105.5 pounds) and Melinda Swanson (Honolulu) shared fifth in the women's open division.