Arnold Toriumi wants to go out with a bang.

The Punahou judoka will seek his third consecutive state title at Saturday's Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Judo State Championships at UH-Manoa's Stan Sheriff Center.

Matches begin at 10:30 a.m. with finals expected to begin around 3:30 p.m.

Toriumi, who competes at 132 pounds, is a junior, but because he transferred from Kalani three years ago and had to repeat the ninth grade, he can't compete in next year's state tournament.

Toriumi, who also wrestles for the Buffanblu, won his first state title as a 121-pound freshman, then followed with another championship at 132 pounds.

But in December, Toriumi suffered a setback while wrestling. At the preseason Officials' Tournament at Leilehua, he collided with then-two-time state wrestling champion Travis Okano of Lahainaluna and all of a sudden, it was over.

"We both shot in at the same time," Toriumi said. "My face was kind of up and his was down and the top of his head hit my face, right underneath my eye."

Toriumi suffered an orbital fracture — which required season-ending surgery — and a concussion. A plastic support was placed in his eye and Toriumi was forced to shut it down for the next four months.

"It hit me hard at first," Toriumi said. "But we were pushing for a state championship, so I didn't want them to worry about me. I came to practice everyday, I even worked out a couple times, but I just wanted to be there for them, on the side, even though I couldn't be there wrestling with them."

Punahou went on to win its second straight state wrestling crown.

"After the state championships, it hit me hard; that my wrestling career was over," Toriumi said. "But my wrestling coaches told me that, 'You still have judo this season,' and they told me to get it all out."

Toriumi's determination helped him to make an early return.

"We got him cleared by his surgeon probably three or four weeks before he was scheduled to be and he went right back to judo," Punahou coach Greg Chow said. "It seemed like he was pretty much back in full form by two or three weeks. He didn't lose very much."

His work ethic has become that of legends at the Punahou campus.

"Arnold has never-ending determination and aggression," Chow said. "In five minutes, he'll be in a full sweat and he'll just never stop."

Even Pearl City coach Robin Puahala was impressed with Toriumi during joint practices this season with Punahou.

"He's a good guy," Puahala said. "When we were there, he took the time to fix one of my players throws and he even taught him some tricks of his own."

Still, it is his judo that draws the most attention of opposing coaches.

"He's got good technique, he's fast and he's a very strong player," Puahala said.

Toriumi, the top seed in his weight class, has an idea of how he would like Saturday to go.

"I wouldn't call it smooth sailing to the finals, but I want to finish all my matches the way I want to finish them," he said. "We've been visualizing how we want to finish the tournament. I do it every night. I figure, might as well just leave everything on the mat."

TWO GOVERNORS GOING FOR THIRD STRAIGHT TITLE

Farrington's duo of Taylor Ibera (98 pounds) and Tani Ader (129) are both seeking their third state championship while several others are looking for back-to-back titles. 'Iolani's Keiko Akamine (103), Kalani's Megan Ya-maguchi (115) and Hawai'i Baptist's Risha Mishima (129) return to defend their crowns. Yamaguchi and Mishima — both sophomores — moved up to 122 and 139 pounds, respectively.

Pearl City senior Christian Pavo can become the first boy to win four state titles after McKinley's Lianne Tomishima became the first girl to do so last year.

Pavo, competing at 161 pounds, won his first two championships at 178 pounds before moving up to 198 as a junior last season.

Punahou junior Reid Oshiro is seeking his third title and second straight at 121 pounds. Buffanblu senior Daniel Chow, who will compete in this summer's USA Judo Olympic Trials, is also out for his third straight championship and second straight at 178 pounds.

Others seeking back-to-back titles: Moanalua's Brady LaFortune (114); and Pearl City's Andy Toyama (220) and Tyler Lauifi (275). LaFortune moved up after winning as a freshman at 108 last season.

TEAM TITLES WIDE OPEN

The boys team title appears to be a three-way race among Punahou, Moanalua and defending champion Pearl City.

"The competition is a little tougher (this year)," Punahou coach Greg Chow said. "It's wide open. I told my guys, 'If you meet a Pearl City or Moanalua guy, we've got to win those head-to-head battles.' "

Buffanblu qualified in nine weight classes, as did the Chargers. Moanalua has eight divisions covered and Waiakea six.

Punahou edged Pac-Five for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship while Moanalua ended an 11-year title drought, topping Pearl City for the O'ahu Interscholastic Association crown. Waiakea won its fourth consecutive Big Island Interscholastic Federation, beating Hilo in the league final.

Defending state champ McKinley is considered to be among the contenders for the girls team title. Others in the mix are OIA champion Pearl City, runner-up Kahuku, ILH champion Punahou and Kamehameha.

"I would say the girls' race is pretty open, too," Chow said.

The Chargers have entries in nine weight classes. McKinley and Punahou cover seven divisions and Kahuku six.