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Rydge DeMotta • jiu jitsu
The 8-year-old is the youngest athlete to be honored in this space, but he proved himself as grounded as a grizzled veteran at the Pan Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Long Beach, Calif.
DeMotta, a third-grader at Kalanianaole who trains at Honomu Nova Uniao and under Kim Terra at Penn jiu jitsu, flourished in a field of 39 participants at the prestigious tournament, winning all five of his matches to claim gold.
5 questions
Favorite food: Pancakes
Favorite movie: Goosebumps
Favorite thing about jiu jitsu: Competition
Favorite athlete: My dad
Favorite spot on the Big Island: Kolekole