Pearl City, Punahou dominate judo

JAMM AQUINO / [e-mail] Moanalua's Liko Fukumoto, left, attempted a Seoi-nage throw on McKinley's Maria Behrens.

[judo mom]

Great job to all the participants. There were alot of great matches and some surprising winners too.

[Anonymous]

Matt Ogata got robbed in the finals match. He actually scored by throwing. How can Chow be proud of a championship he won, not because he threw his opponent or out-performed him, but because Ogata got cheated by all those penalties in the last 2 minutes?

[Auryte]

Is this Punahou complaining again? Don't question the refs!

[judo mom]

I think the refs were getting irritated with a certain Punahou coach. They should put their foot down and not take that kind of behavior.

[Pun Pun]

Yup the coaches are whiners. The whole athletic program is like that! Think they're the chosen ones!

[SweetPea808]

Congratulations to the Pearl City Chargers Girls and Boys!

Aloha to all the State Senior judoka!

Matt Ogata did an terrific job and surely deserved the title. I commend his winning attitude by playing with an injured nose suffered from the match before. His great display of sportsmanship is evident that he is truly a winner.

Last but not least awesome job to both Coach Robin Puahala and judoka Aaron Puahala...just awesome!

[Bungahead]

Auryte wrote:

Is this Punahou complaining again? Don't question the refs!

Matt Ogata of Mililani took 2nd in the 178 lbs. division. He lost to Daniel Chow of Punahou. Seems like "Anonymous" was criticizing the refereeing from a Mililani perspective.

Both Chow and Ogata are tough kids and deserved to be in that final.

[Bungahead]

judo mom wrote:

I think the refs were getting irritated with a certain Punahou coach. They should put their foot down and not take that kind of behavior.

Punahou Head Coach is a totally dedicated, unassuming, and classy guy. Completely focused on teaching the competitive sport of Judo, and, with his wife, has built Punahou's Judo program into a high participation, and high success rate program.

The expressiveness you see from far, far away in the upper section of Blaisedell, is directed at the players, not the refs. He is exhorting them, cheering them, communicating with them - like any coach can and should. He's passionate about it and totally absorbed in the match of the kid he's watching at any given time. That particular kid is getting lots of quality, respectful attention. Perhaps it would be helpful if you tried considering his animated coaching style as in tune with his hands on dedication to each of his players, love of the sport, and leadership of his program. On the mat, Punahou's player's behavior is impeccable and respectful of their opponents, the officials, and the sport - no jumping in the air and pointing fingers to the crowd after victories....that is a reflection of their coaching.

... And, I am quite certain of what I'm saying, because he makes it a point to appear reticent when truly poor calls are made against Punahou....

[Just a Voice]

Why is it...Pearl City are the State Champs both boys and girls yet, there are no pictures of them????
It's interesting how so many people Pearl City High School should have a good Judo Team because of all the Japanese students that attend. But hello here's an eye opener...
Tyler Lauifi, Christian Pavo, Aaron Puahala. How Japanese is that?
Congratulations Pearl City Judo yet again another sucessful year. Cheehoo!!!!

[Just a Voice]

Looks like Punahou's Head Coach has a fan.( Hmmm)

Bungahead wrote:

<quoted text>
Punahou Head Coach is a totally dedicated, unassuming, and classy guy. Completely focused on teaching the competitive sport of Judo, and, with his wife, has built Punahou's Judo program into a high participation, and high success rate program.
The expressiveness you see from far, far away in the upper section of Blaisedell, is directed at the players, not the refs. He is exhorting them, cheering them, communicating with them - like any coach can and should. He's passionate about it and totally absorbed in the match of the kid he's watching at any given time. That particular kid is getting lots of quality, respectful attention. Perhaps it would be helpful if you tried considering his animated coaching style as in tune with his hands on dedication to each of his players, love of the sport, and leadership of his program. On the mat, Punahou's player's behavior is impeccable and respectful of their opponents, the officials, and the sport - no jumping in the air and pointing fingers to the crowd after victories....that is a reflection of their coaching.
... And, I am quite certain of what I'm saying, because he makes it a point to appear reticent when truly poor calls are made against Punahou....

[Just a Voice]

Ooops I goofed. I meant to say, "It's interesting how many people think Pearl City School should have a good Judo Team because of all the Japanese students that attend."

Just a Voice wrote:

Why is it...Pearl City are the State Champs both boys and girls yet, there are no pictures of them????
It's interesting how so many people Pearl City High School should have a good Judo Team because of all the Japanese students that attend. But hello here's an eye opener...
Tyler Lauifi, Christian Pavo, Aaron Puahala. How Japanese is that?
Congratulations Pearl City Judo yet again another sucessful year. Cheehoo!!!!

[Bungahead]

Just a Voice wrote:

Looks like Punahou's Head Coach has a fan.( Hmmm)<quoted text>

Wrong, he has many...

[Blaster]

Bungahead wrote:

<quoted text>
Wrong, he has many...

Many who despise him! Actually it's the school!

[Bungahead]

Blaster wrote:

<quoted text>
Many who despise him!

Now why in the world would that be???? You got specific reasons??? Or is it just Punahou hating????

[SweetPea808]

Regardless of who we cheer for Judo is gaining a following in Hawaii High School sports. It will only get better.

Mad props to all the coaches and staff who give their expertise, energy and time to our young adults. Good job!

The state tournament at Stan Sheriff was an exciting day, so many great matches to witness.

Forgot to congratulate Christian Pavo as the only male 4 time state champion! Congratulations Christian!

As in all sports winners are only half as good as the coaches who are teaching them.

[KaY]

No blame the refs, you go ref a match and see what it is like.

[Zebras]

Refs always take the blunt of criticism! Especially from losing parents!

[GCHOW]

Maybe everyone hates us because we recruit our athletes. Arnold Toriumi(Kalani High) and Jordan Ng(Moanalua Middle). Ah, who cares we'll win states again with leg picks. "A ref, come on give me a break!"

[judo mom]

GCHOW wrote:

Maybe everyone hates us because we recruit our athletes. Arnold Toriumi(Kalani High) and Jordan Ng(Moanalua Middle). Ah, who cares we'll win states again with leg picks. "A ref, come on give me a break!"

I don't think they were "recruited" didn't they go there for ACADEMICS? Is that being unrealistic?

[judo mom]

GCHOW wrote:

Maybe everyone hates us because we recruit our athletes. Arnold Toriumi(Kalani High) and Jordan Ng(Moanalua Middle). Ah, who cares we'll win states again with leg picks. "A ref, come on give me a break!"

I don't think you should post things if you're really not gchow from Punahou. The Greg Chow we know would never stoop so low. I may not agree with his antics but he is passionate about the sports and players. I know this because he'll cheer for my son and my son goes to a different school. We've known him from club judo and he would never post something like that. Shame on you!