Two Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) judokas became state champions, as Hilo High sophomore Kamalei Sakai won gold for the 115 lbs. division and Waiakea High senior Iya Sadanchikova placed first in the 109 lbs. division to lead the Warriors’girls squad to a fourth-place team finish and secure Waiakea’s first gold medal since 2018 in the HHSAA state championship on Saturday in Honolulu.
In addition, 11 more BIIF judokas landed on the podium — including Hilo’s Kainalu Aurello, runner-up of the boys 198 lbs. division, Hilo junior Ihilani Sakai, sister of Kamalei Sakai and bronze medalist of the girls 139 lbs. class, and Konawaena’s Race Moxley, who placed third in the boys 178 lbs. class. Alongside Sadanchikova, three other Waiakea girls finished at No. 4 in their respective divisions.
“I’m super proud of (Sadanchikova),” said WHS head coach Jason Tanaka. “She actually didn’t start Judo until her sophomore year in high school, she progressed really well within these three years — really dedicated a lot of her time and put in hard work. She shows that you don’t need to start judo when you’re six or seven years old.”
The Warriors trailed No. 3 Kapolei High by just three points, 40-37. Moanalua High won with a commanding 98 points, twice the score of No. 2 Pearl City High. This year was the Waiakea girls team’s highest placement since 2018.
“They’re very driven, very motivated,” Tanaka said. “I think they work really hard at practice, they set their goals. Just placing at states is really hard, so I’m glad that they got to place.”
Hilo’s girls totalled 25 points to tie with Punahou School for No. 7. It was the second straight year in which a Sakai sister brought home a state title, as Kamalei followed in the footsteps of her big sister Irie — a 2023 graduate who won the 139 lbs crown last spring.
“(Kamalei) was a runner-up in BIIFs and was in the middle of the bracket at states, not seeded,” Hilo head coach Kerwyn Tokeshi said. “She had the tournament of a lifetime.
“I can’t even put into words how proud I am of her. She was just in the zone this past weekend. You could see her confidence just growing as the rounds progressed. Her opponent in the finals looked way stronger than her, but she was able to overcome that.”
For Aurello, the tournament was a final shot at redemption. Last year, as a junior, he suffered a concussion and was unable to compete in the state championship.
“Kainalu is super tough,” Tokeshi said. “He was a BIIF champion, and his judo is super strong. In the finals, he placed a tough match, but just got caught. It could have gone either way. My heart breaks for him, because toward the end of last season, he suffered a concussion and wasn’t able to participate in the state tournament last year.
“He worked hard and he wanted it bad. Runner-up in state is still a big accomplishment, it’s a huge tournament. I’m proud of him.”
The Vikings’ boys scored 12 points to finish in a four-way tie for 12th place with Konawaena, Kaimuki High and Damien High. KS-Hawaii scored five to tie for No. 19 with ASSETS — ahead of No. 19 Waiakea, which managed three points.
Besides Hilo and Waiakea, Kea‘au High was the only other BIIF girls team to score points — totalling seven to tie for No. 16 with Mililani High, McKinley High and Waianae High.
BIIF girls podium placers
Jeahnni Mercado-Silva (Keaau High) 4th place 98 Lbs
Shaniah-Lee Ferreira (Waiakea High) 4th place 103 lbs
Iya Sadanchikova (Waiakea High) 1st place 109 lbs
Kamalei Sakai (Hilo High) 1st place 155 lbs
Lia Ballo (Waiakea High) 4th place 115 lbs
Amy Gushiken (KS-Hawai‘i) 6th place 115 lbs
Lily See (Waiakea High) 4th place 122 lbs
Ihilani Sakai (Hilo High) 3rd place 139 lbs
BIIF boys podium placers
Tyhler Iida (Waiakea High) 6th place 108 lbs
Sunny Espinoza (Konawaena High) 6th place 145 lbs
Kamahao Halemanu (KS-Hawai‘i) 5th place 161 lbs
Race Moxley (Konawaena High) 3rd place 178 lbs
Kainalu Aurello (Hilo High) 2nd place 198 lbs