2024 Senior Nationals
Results Recap
A few days after the conclusion of San Jose State’s finals week, going into Memorial Day Weekend the Spartans headed down to Ontario, CA for the 2024 Senior Nationals followed by the Annual Golden State Open, which joined forces this year for a 3 day event. This tournament would prove to be a perfect way for the team to put their hard work to the test against other top athletes in the country. The team was coached by Sensei Kosuke Tanaka, who leads practice daily, with the support of Olympic Bronze medalist and SJSU alumni Marti Malloy, former German national team coach Toni Letner and former SJSU strength and conditions coach David Torres. However, even with the support of so many coaches they were stretched thin as the team brought 16 athletes to compete. Here are the individual results.
Long time SJSU team member Anne Suzuki (48kg) started her weekend strong with two back-to-back Ippon wins to make her way to the finals. However after a long and intense match Anne was caught resulting in a second place finish, her third overall. Unfortunately, she was unable to seek redemption the next day as she had to head home after Saturday's event.
Freshman Becky Hoang (52kg) made her Senior National debut, despite an impressive showing she was unable to secure a win in the Senior division. Later in the day she came back to fight in the Junior division where she got to showcase her newaza winning her second match by choke, she placed second overall. The following day was a tough one drawing the eventual silver medalist in the first round, and falling again in repechage. Although not the results she had hoped for the whole team, coaches included were in awe of how hard she fought and how far she had come since joining the team this past fall.
So-cal native Katie Gomez (57kg) also got to compete in her very first Senior Nationals, the SJSU Junior, was unable to fight the previous years due to injury so this was an exciting but nerve-racking comeback. After going 4 minutes into overtime during her opening match Katie was unable to overcome her opponent. However she did not let her losses on the first day deter her, she came back Sunday morning with a beautiful Ouchi gari for Ippon. She came short of a medal on the second day as well but ended the tournament with very valuable experiences.
Recent graduate Mayu Wise made her much awaited entrance to the 57kg weight class after returning from injury. COVID cut her freshman year short so this was also her first shot at Senior Nationals. Mayu came out strong with a clean ouchi gari for ippon during her first match of the day. Making it to the semi finals, she pushed hard for a score deep into overtime but was unfortunately countered for wazari ending the match losing to the eventual gold medalist. Mayu was quickly able to recuperate after the grueling match to come back and secure herself a third place finish, her first Senior National Medal. Determined not to let the disappointment of the first day get in her way, she came back on Sunday ready to go. Ms. Wise won all three of her matches and walked away with a gold medal from the Golden State Open.
In her third shot at the Senior Nationals, Nina Seoane (63kg), who graduated last semester went in anxious to improve on her two third place finishes in years past. With coach and mentor Marti Malloy in her corner, Nina ended the first match with a swift harai-goshi for Ippon. Nina went on to fight for gold but was scored on in the last 20 seconds of the match and was unable to recover the score, she left that day with a silver medal. The next day at the GSO, Nina was disappointed to see that many of her opponents from the day before did not show up. There was only one other competitor in the weight class, in their first match Nina threw for wazari and locked up a pin to end it. Going into the second match, Sensei Marti gave her some key focal points and she was able to throw for Ippon after adding them to her game. This would earn Nina her second GSO Gold medal.
Sophomore Nancy Nguyen (70kg) who just returned from an impressive second place finish at her very first Junior Pan Ams, had to quickly refocus as she set her sights on Senior Nationals as she hoped to improve upon her third place finish from the year before. However after her dominant first round win, she was bested in the semi finals, an unfortunate loss to an opponent she had beaten in the past. Despite her plans for gold being thwarted Nancy was determined to walk away with a medal, and that she did, securing her second Senior National bronze, she ended the match with a highlight worthy seoi nage for ippon. Ready to avenge her loss, round 1 of the GSO gave her the opportunity, a rematch of her semi final loss. Nancy was able to exact retribution and moved forward into the final, where she faced the Senior National champion from the day before, she walked away victorious. It was a bittersweet ending to her second day of competition, however the weekend was not over yet, Nancy was to return on the third day to fight in the Junior division where she looks to acquire enough points to qualify for Junior Worlds. Picking up one more gold medal, Nancy had to face the opponent she lost to on the first day for the third time that weekend. Nancy beat her a second time solidifying her win from the day before.
Junior, Lindsay Takaki (78kg) also stepped up to not just her first senior nationals but first national level tournament, after having joined the team a year ago, moving up from the beginner class. The first day was a hard one, but one that proved to be beneficial, Lindsay fought two hard matches but was not able to walk away with a win. However, she very quickly took the feedback of Sensei Tanaka and applied it the next day at the Golden State Open, where she secured a second place finish.
Sophomore Anakin Mendoza (60kg) had a tough draw in a full 16 man bracket losing to the eventual bronze medalist in the first round. He fought hard up the backside of the bracket winning two matches both under 30 seconds, but later fell right before the bronze medal match. On the second day of competition Anakin started a little stronger but was unable to secure a medal. However he did walk away with a lot more experience and clarity on what he needs to focus on in his daily training, as Coach David Torres was able to help him analyze his matches.
Senior Conor Uyekawa (60kg) was able to snag his first Senior National medal taking one of the bronze spots in one of the most competitive male divisions. Conor lost his second match of the day but was able to battle his way up the backside winning four consecutive matches. Conor went a bit further forward the second day earning a spot in the semi finals, but was not able to grab a medal at the GSO. Although disappointed in his results, Conor showcased his mental fortitude in every match that weekend, pushing hard to secure his wins, and never going down without a fight.
Colby Hanley Jr. (66kg) returned to competition this year after a long hiatus to test himself out and hopefully shake off some of the rust. Colby was not able to win either of his matches that day but has found a renewed drive to train this summer with a list of things he needs to work on.
Sophomore Matthew Bata (66kg) was another first timer at the 2024 Senior Nationals, he fought some tough battles on the first day but didn’t get any wins. However he was able to recharge for Sunday and was able to showcase his tokuiwaza morote seoi-nage, with two Ippon victories. Matthew made it to the bronze medal match were he was caught with a choke on the way to the mat. Bata was not able to leave the weekend with a medal but was able to gain a lot of perspective to be able to focus this summer.
Freshman Alek Khichirian (66kg) was also in the mix of the second largest male weight class. He fought an amazing first match but lost on a poor judgment call that lead to a slight injury, however he was able to recuperate and win 3 consecutive matches on the backside before he was bested right before his chance for bronze. On the second day of competition Alek traded in his judo gi for a suit and tie, where he successfully tested to become a nationally certified referee.
Sophomore Weston Uyekawa (73kg) showed up and showed out at his very first Senior National competition. Weston walked away with a silver medal after battling his way through the largest bracket of the tournament with 32 participants total. Finishing almost all of his matches via Ippon, Weston proved to be a versatile player winning through both newaza and tachiwaza where he employed a variety of techniques. Weston lost what was one of the most exciting finals of the evening against a much more seasoned opponent after getting caught with a backward throw. The rigor of the first day weighed heavy on Weston who wasn’t able to medal on the second day he finished the weekend with a record of 7-3 having fought a whopping 10 matches total.
Senior Eliezer Elvira (73kg) took his shot at a heavier weight this year after bumping up from 66kg. Also battling through the largest bracket Eli secured 4 wins overall but it wasn’t enough for him to leave with a medal. He mirrored his performance on the second day taking a total of 3 wins but falling just short of a medal. It was remarked that when Eli won it was by a landslide and when he lost by an inch, so that with a few technical adjustments he has a bright road ahead of him.
Senior Ryan Kuratani (81kg) also competed in his first Senior Nationals, he didn’t win any matches on the first day but was able to redeem himself a bit on the second day winning 2 matches both with beautiful uchimatas Ryan’s signature throw.
Freshman Jaxon Condella (90kg) was another first timer, he began judo at a young age but only came back a few years ago before deciding to push his career on the SJSU team. The young brown belt went 0-2 the first day but was not discouraged and made it all the way to the semi finals on the second day of competition.
Freshman Quin Kiel (90kg) hails from the Netherlands and therefore was unable to participate in the Senior Nationals but he jumped into action on the second day to make a run at the GSO, he was able to take some nice wins home but unfortunately no medal.
Phd student Seiji Maekawa (90kg) recently moved to San Jose from Japan, and also participated only at the GSO, he fought the senior division as well as the veterans division and secured a silver medal in both. While tournament software has come a long way, there is still the risk when entering multiple divisions that the start time might overlap. Seiji had to jump between mats with no down time between matches. Fighting the very last match of the day.
Overall this combined tournament was a major learning experience for many of the younger less experienced members of the team, to feel what it’s like competing on the big stage, and valuable tournament exposure for the more senior members of the team. Although not the results many of the Spartans had hoped for all the coached seemed to agree that the team fought hard and listened well. With much to review, they look forward to a promising summer of growth before they’re able to jump into their next tournaments.