Castle Knights Boast Two State Champions In Judo

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Michael Kahohokula (center) celebrates with Castle judo champs Patrice Yamane and Harvey Fung. Photo from Derlene Yamane.

As Harvey Fung found out this spring, goals need to be updated.

“I really wasn’t very good last year, so my goal was just to make it to states,” said Fung, a key component of the Castle boys judo team. “Then my season began to go really good, and I knew I would make it, so from there I began to build my dream up.”

And up, and up. Indeed, Fung has been nothing less than upwardly mobile for the past year. His state championship run in the 220-weight class in late May seems as refreshing to him some six weeks later as then. Taught at a young age that indulgent celebrations are not part of the judo scene (“Judo teaches you respect,” he says), he was nevertheless “excited” in the moments that followed his win over Andy Toyama to secure his state title.

“I thanked everyone who had helped me,” said Fung.

Only a year earlier, as a sophomore out for judo for the first time, Fung had failed to place in the OIA East Division, much less make the 2007 state judo championships. But with a solid base in wrestling, Fung was a quick study.

“I just worked really hard. I trained a little harder, and I had a lot more confidence in myself. I’m pretty competitive. It’s natural, I guess.

“Last year was my first year, and I was a little shaky,” admitted Fung, who finished fifth in the state in wrestling in February. “Coach Shane (Watanabe) really helped me. He’s the reason I stayed. He always taught me stuff that would help me in wrestling and which kept me interested. Mike Yamane also helped me a lot.”

After an undefeated 2008 season in the East, Fung finished fourth in the OIA Tournament, losing to Mei Ling Keiki in the third-place match. They met again in the opening round of the state tournament, with Fung winning this time around. He won three more matches from there to close out a state title.

“Beating him really made me strive harder,” Fung said, “and when I looked at the bracket, I had confidence even though I hadn’t gone against half of them. But I like a challenge.”

Fung didn’t have to search far for inspiration. The Castle girls team also boasted a state champion in freshman Patrice Yamane, who captured the 172-pound class. Unlike Fung, who didn’t take up judo until high school, Yamane began at age 5. She was slow to warm up to the sport, however.

“It took me a long time to like it,” she said. “I got better as the years went on, practicing twice a week every week.”

Yamane and Fung both belong to Wadokan Judo Club, coached by Castle coach Jason Kanekuni. The pair practice with the club twice a week; during Castle’s season, they also practice five days a week with the Knights.

Yamane won her first 16 matches this spring before losing in the OIA finals to Keiki of Pearl City. By the time the pair met again in the state finals, Yamane was better prepared.

“It made me realize I had to work harder at practice to see what I could do,” she said. “She was really strong, and I had to beat her to regain myself.”

Yamane’s title seems all the more impressive in that she competed at 158 pounds, making her among the lighter players in the 172-pound weight class.

“That was one of the biggest challenges - they were heavier and stronger. But maybe being quicker is better. To win it was the best feeling you could have. Winning states has motivated me to work harder. People don’t expect me to win again (in 2009), but they want me to win again. I’m trying to work my hardest to keep the title.”

Although judo can be ultra-competitive, both Yamane and Fung like the good sportsmanship that is second nature within the sport.

“It’s competitive only on the mat,” Yamane said. “Off of the mat, we’re friends. It’s a lot of fun.”

Added Fung: “We have so much fun in practice - and we can work hard at the same time.”