By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
On a recent day at the Keaau High gym, Ha‘aheo Chan and Cheyden Quiocho were the only teammates left after judo practice, perspiring through their thick Gi uniforms, trying to throw one another, and learning something new with each move.
They are rookies, no prior judo experience for either, but both brought home hardware at the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships. Chan earned gold in the 198-pound class, and Quiocho took bronze in the 145 division.
The duo along with teammates Thomas Soares (178 bronze) and Calvin Arca (198 silver) will compete at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association judo state championships on Saturday at Neal Blaisdell Center.
Chan had mixed feelings while reminiscing about his BIIF championship.
“I’m proud of myself. I waited for the opportunity and pinned him at two minutes,” he said. “It was bittersweet. It was against a senior who did judo for four years. It’s my first year.”
It was the first meeting against his teammate Arca, in a meaningful BIIF match, and the rookie beat the veteran. Chan credited Arca for making him a better judoka. Chan also wrestles, so he knows a few tricks up his sleeve.
“Calvin helps me at practice. My counter-moves are better, but I’m still working on my throws,” Chan said. “I’d say my season is a success, but I’m hoping for more. At states, I have to stay focused and keep my balance, and don’t underestimate my opponents.”
The 5-foot-10 sophomore was third at the BIIF wrestling championships. He also played football for the Cougars.
“I thought judo would help me for wrestling,” he said. “It’s fun throwing people and I like that it’s a martial art.”
In judo and wrestling, there is no striking allowed and the goal is the pretty much the same — get an opponent on his back. Throwing an opponent on his back with speed and force is called an ippon, and the match is over. Submission by choke, arm-lock or being pinned for 25 seconds also falls under the ippon umbrella.
“The thing about judo is you have to do offense and defense at the same time,” Keaau coach Darryl Wheat said. “Once you get thrown on your back, there is no second chance. Your life is over.
“There are so many different throws. Every step should have a throw — forward, backward, sideways. And there is a counter for each throw.”
Quiocho is a senior and has a nice track record in BIIF wrestling. He pocketed the 135 the last two years, and finished runner-up at 125 as a sophomore. At states, he runner-up at 135 in March.
But he found his new sport a little challenging.
“I finally got my throws down,” he said. “The hardest part of it was I couldn’t the hang of it. At first it was difficult. Now I love it.
“In wrestling, you can grab the legs. In judo, it’s not allowed. There’s a lot of leverage in judo and more technique.”
Quiocho lost in the BIIF semifinals, learning a valuable lesson.
“Sensei (Wheat) said, ‘Don’t leave it in the hands of judges.’ I gave it away on penalties,” Quiocho said. “At states, I’ll do my best and try to place. “I came here not knowing much at all, but I got a lot better in a short time we had in judo and it was fun.”