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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 9:49 p.m., Saturday, May 19, 2007

Pearl City, McKinley capture state judo titles

By Stanley Lee
Advertiser Staff Writer

In judo's fledgling state championship history, Lianne Tomishima helped McKinley make history twice.

Tomishima became the first judoka to win four state titles, and with two other victories by teammates Nora Kent and Asami Kobata, the Tigers edged Kamehameha, 53-52, for their first team title at the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association championships, today, at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Meanwhile, the Pearl City boys continued their dominance in just the sport's fifth state championship, winning its fourth title with 99 points.

"Everybody that graduates comes back (to coach)," said Pearl City coach Robin Puahala, whose boys won four weight divisions. "If you play your coaches and you can beat them, you should have no problem in your matches."

Tomishima defeated Farrington's Tani Ader in an intense girls 122-pound final.

Ader defeated Tomishima in overtime at last Saturday's O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship.

"It's really an accomplishment," Tomishima said. "I'm so thankful for everyone who supported me. Family I haven't seen in years came to support me. I really needed that. It really goes back to them."

Tomishima won at 115 as a freshman, at 139 as a sophomore and 129 as a junior.

"It could've gone either way," Tomishima said of her final match. "Tani is a tremendous judo player. Her skills are so wonderful, it's so versatile. That's why she wins at states and nationals."

Ader got Tomishima off the ground less than a minute into their match, and had Tomishima on her back briefly with about a minute remaining in their 5-minute match.

"That was the turning point in my match," Tomishima said. "I was telling myself 'How much do I want to win?' I told myself everything is mental. If I wanted to win this match, I told myself I couldn't give up. I never was aware of the time, I just kept focused."

Tomishima's victory carried over to the other two Tigers in the finals. Kent won at 139 pounds over defending champion Jillian Fontanilla of Pearl City, and Asami Kobata won at 172 over Pearl City's Kelsey Awa.

"When she won, it just gave me more energy," said Kent, who lost to Fontanilla at last week's OIA championships.

Pearl City junior Christian Pavo became just the second judoka to win three boys state titles, beating Kahuku's Daymon Carr at 198. Pavo won at 178 as a sophomore and junior.

"(They are) way bigger guys, heavier and stronger," Pavo said of competing at higher weight class. "Not as quick, but stronger."