Enough with bronze, Kamehameha-Hawaii’s Kayla Araki is sporting gold these days.
A three-time bronze medalist on the state mats, Araki busted through to claim the title she coveted Saturday, winning the 154-pound crown at the HHSAA judo championships in Honolulu.
“I really wanted it this year,” said Araki, who finished third at the past two state wrestling meets as well as in judo last season. “I would sit in my room and look at those medals and tell myself I don’t want another one.”
Araki, who adds the state judo title to the five BIIF judo/wrestling titles she owns, was the only Big Island winner.
Also reaching the finals but settling for silver were Keaau’s Ivory Ayers (172), Kealakehe’s Roxie Umu (220) and Hilo’s Chris Kubota (198). Ayers adds silver medal to the bronze she won last season. Umu was fourth in state wrestling earlier this year, and Kuboto was fifth at the state judo meet last season.
But it was Araki’s time.
“I was very focused throughout the season and told myself there is no reason you can’t win,” the junior said. “I put in all these extra practice sessions.”
Of her four opponents Saturday, Araki had previously faced three either in wrestling or judo. Her easiest victory was an early throw in her first match against Campbell’s Heavenli Sardinha, and he third victory, against Molokai’s Ester Torres-Umi, broke her state drought in the semifinals.
“Just making it to the finals was a big accomplishment,” she said.
In the final, Araki gained a measure of revenge against Kamehameha-Kapalama’s Jaclyn Fontanilla, who beat Araki in the state wrestling semifinals in February, her only loss of the season. Fontanilla was the silver medalist for the second year in a row in judo
“I’m pretty sure I worked just as harder or harder than anybody else for that first gold,” Araki said.
Waiakea’s LiAnn Yamamoto was the only other BIIF competitor to finish in the top three, grabbing bronze at 103.
Finishing fourth were Waiakea’s Kellen Goya (132), a four-time BIIF champion; Keaau’s Kawika Andrian (172); Kamehameha’s Joyden Madriaga (220); and Konawaena’s Dana Sugai (154).
Hilo’s Kolton Pang was fifth at 121 and Kamehameha’s Lala Peleimolami was sixth.
