BIIF judo: Waiakea senior Fujimoto beats friendly foe for second title

Waiakea senior Kilar Fujimoto knows the feeling of beating and losing to a teammate for a BIIF judo title.

He defeated freshman teammate Caleb Shimaoka for the 121-pound championship on Saturday at the Warriors Gym, claiming his second crown.

It’s bittersweet feeling for Fujimoto because both train at the Shudokan Judo Club, and Shimaoka falls under his wing.

Last year, Fujimoto took on the impossible when he went against Kellen Goya at 132 at BIIFs. Goya won to highlight a 4 for 4 title mission.

As a sophomore, Fujimoto won at 121, and as a freshman lost the 108 crown to Waiakea senior Adam Onishi, who’s now an assistant coach.

At Shudokan, where Fujimoto’s uncle Bryce Hamamoto is a sensei, Goya was a senpai (higher rank) than Fujimoto and molded him.

Fujimoto did the same for Shimaoka, who earned big praise from his senpai.

“He has more experience than me. He started when he was 6 years old,” Fujimoto said. “I started judo right before my freshman season.

“When you practice together every day, you know each other’s moves.”

He’s the grandson of Roy Fujimoto, the retired longtime BIIF executive director, and appreciated the support.

“He has a hard time coming to tournament because of his back,” Fujimoto said. “But I’m glad he came. It means a lot when he comes out.”

Fujimoto grew up playing baseball and basketball but followed his uncle into judo at Shudokan before his freshman year.

“What I really like is the people,” he said. “It’s like a whole other community. Everyone is really friendly and supportive.”

That aloha spirit has rubbed off on Fujimoto, who wants to major in civil engineering. He’ll spend two years at UH-Hilo before transferring to UH-Manoa.

“When I’m at UH-Hilo, I want to help out at the club,” Fujimoto said. “Civil engineering, that branch, deals with people. I want to work with people instead of sitting behind a desk.”

Kubota’s gratitude

Hilo senior Chris Kubota defeated Waiakea’s Isaac Ingall for the 198 title to pocket his third BIIF championship.

Instead of overwhelming joy, he was filled with appreciation.

“I feel very lucky to have this opportunity,” he said. “You can never be certain. Anything can happen on any given day.

“I know I’ve had good support from family, partners who’ve helped me at practice, and good coaches.”

He played junior varsity baseball as a freshman for the Vikings but decided to switch over to judo as a sophomore. Kubota started judo as a 9-year-old at Hilo Hongwanji.

As for college, he’s got that figured out. Kubota plans to walk on for wrestling at Pacific University, where he’ll major in exercise science to become a physical therapist.

Last year, he finished second at the HHSAA tournament and fifth as a sophomore. The defending state champion, Pearl City’s Matt Keopuhiwa, graduated.

Again, Kubota won’t take anything for granted at the state meet, which will be held May 6 at the Stan Sheriff Center on Oahu.

“I’ll train even harder,” he said. “You can never be too sure of anything. I’ll prepare like I’m the underdog.”

Sister act

Waiakea junior LiAnn Yamamoto captured the 109 division for her third BIIF crown while her teammate and freshman sister Samantha Yamamoto took the 98 title.

“I feel like all the hard work has paid off,” Samantha said.

The only bummer was the sisters couldn’t watch each other in the final.

“I’m happy for her,” said LiAnn, who started training at Hilo Hongwanji at 9 years old while Samantha started at 7 years old.

They’re practice partners, beat each other up and still hug one another their day is done.

“It’s fun and challenging and we want to beat each other,” Samantha said. “We try our hardest against each other.”

They don’t wrestle, but LiAnn is close to BIIF judo perfection. She would also like to medal at states.

“My goal is to shoot for four (at BIIFs) and place at states” she said.

Her sister isn’t thinking that far ahead. She’s got a long way to go to match her older sibling.

“I want to place at states, if I can,” Samantha said.

Both also swim at Waiakea and pointed out that it builds muscle strength.

On a day of BIIF title streaks, the Yamamoto sisters can add their names to the list. Combined, they’re 4 for 4.

Other streaks

• Waiakea sophomore Raelyn Ai-Yoneda won at 103 for her second title.

• Waiakea junior Katie Lee took 122 for her third crown.

• Keaau junior Cappi Winters grabbed 129 for a repeat championship.

• Kealakehe senior Roxie Umu captured 220 for her third BIIF title.

• Kamehameha senior Richard Hata repeated at 114.

• Waiakea junior Cayden Rillon pocketed 132 for his second crown.

• Keaau senior Kawika Andrian repeated at 178.

• Hilo senior Carson Castillo secured 285 for his second championship.