Pearl City, Moanalua earn team judo championships

Punahou’s Eighla Fujitani denied Pearl City’s Chloe Obuhanych a career slam, while Moanalua’s Taegan Escaba became a three-time state champion at the HHSAA Judo State Championships on Saturday at Neal Blaisdell Arena.

Pearl City won the boys team title, while Moanalua claimed the girls crown.

Fujitani prevented Obuhanych from becoming the seventh girls judoka to win four state titles with a semifinal victory at 109 pounds.

Fujitani said she had the wind knocked out of her when Obuhanych threw her early in the match, but she recovered and won via ippon (20-second press) in the first round.

“I was really scared going into the match because I knew how good she was and her reputation is incredible,” Fujitani said. “I just went in knowing whatever happens, I just tried my best.”

Escaba, the champ from Moanalua, won state titles as a freshman and sophomore and finished runner-up to Pearl City’s Serah Yogi last season, competing at 98 all four years.

Escaba took a 3-0 lead with 53 seconds remaining against Mid-Pacific’s Emi Matsumoto, then scored an ippon with eight seconds to go.

“I’m really proud of myself because last year I had a rough loss and it really devastated me,” Escaba said.

Fujitani went on to win the 109 final against Waiakea’s Layla Taasan.

Fujitani didn’t place in the state tournament as a freshman and sophomore, and finished sixth at 109 last season.

“This past summer I went to Japan where I got the chance to compete in a Japan high school tournament and practice with Japan high schools and I definitely think that helped me level up,” said Fujitani, who said she got “obliterated but learned a lot.”

Two boys finals pitted previous state champions and good friends against each other.

Pearl City’s Brayden Nakamura beat Moanalua’s Ronson Murillo by wazari at 114. Nakamura won the weight class last season, while Murillo triumphed at 108 in 2024.

“Me and Ronson battled all through high school and through elementary school,” Nakamura said. “Nothing but love for the guy. It feels good. Last match of my life. Leave it all on the mat.”

He added that he has beaten Murillo twice out of “like 20 or 30” times over 12 years.

Saint Louis’ Eli Suan defeated Moanalua’s Draezyn Tanaka in the 132 final. Suan won at 121 last season and Tanaka claimed the 114 title in 2024.

“My plan originally at the beginning of the season was to go down to 121, because me and Draezyn are best friends,” Suan said. “We’ve been best friends since we were 6. It was hard playing your best friend in the finals.”

Pearl City’s Eli Oshiro at 121 (won at 108 in 2025) and Ku Miner at 285 also repeated as boys champions.

Pearl City’s Logyn Lynn at 139 (won at 122 last season) and Moanalua’s Bella Kukonu at 172 were repeat champions in the girls competition.