BIIF judo: Sakai wins 129-pound class at states

With the HHSAA spring sports season officially wrapped up, one BIIF judoka made the entire Big Island proud after her performance at states earlier this month.

Ihilani Sakai of Hilo High School was crowned champion of the girls 129-pound division at the HHSAA State Judo Championships, which was held May 3 at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. The senior is a longtime member of Shudokan Judo Club in Hilo town, where she has trained continuously for the last decade. She has represented Shudokan in various training camps, tournaments and seminars over the years. In 2023, Sakai and other club members traveled to Tokyo, Kyoto and Kanagawa in Japan for training.

Sakai was the only Big Island judoka to win an individual title on Oahu. She beat 2024 champion Mia Lee of Moanalua in the championship bout. She was the only Big Island judoka to win an individual title.

Michael Hayashi, head of Shudokan, told the paper that Sakai’s championship was a long time coming, especially after suffering an injury during this time last season. Sakai lost in the semifinals of the 139-pound class in 2024.

“Last year, she entered this tournament as a junior but did not do as well as she had hoped due to an injury,” he said. “So this year, being her last year, she was determined to do well and win the tournament.”

Sakai also has two sisters who have won individual state titles before. Irie Sakai won the 139-pound division in 2023 and Kamalei Sakai won the 115 division last year.

Waiakea’s Lia Ballo (sixth place), Kyler Aguiar (third place) and Lily See (fourth place) along with Hilo’s Milla Sakai (third place) were additional Shudokan members that placed high at states.

The paper would like to congratulate all club members on a great HHSAA season!