Gabriel Valdez is working to prepare for a college wrestling career at Oregon State University. He is currently using judo as a tool to assist him in that endeavor.

Valdez was third in the state at 160 lbs. in wrestling. He is unbeaten in MIL judo after a 2-0 showing on Saturday in Maui Interscholastic League meet number 3.

Valdez has been a judoka at Wailuku Hongwanji since he was five years old. He plans to walk on at Oregon State.

A MIL judoka has never won a state championship.

Caese Calaro is Valdez’s training partner in Baldwin’s practice room. Calaro was the third-place finisher at 145 lbs. on Saturday. The sophomore began competing in Judo three years ago.

Calaro stated that his goal for this season is to “get to the state tournament and get throw.”

On Saturday, there were 45 competitors in the sport, that the MIL is trying to develop.

Brenden Hanada, a brown belt, is one step below the black belt on the eight-color belt ladder. Black belt is the highest level in the sport.

A Kamehameha Maui senior, Hanada won Saturday’s 121-pound boys title — he has been competing in the sport for over 11 years.

Hanada, a captain of the team, has been accepted into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He plans to become a pilot. He is enjoying the sport that he excelled at in high school and his last season.

He intends to continue practicing judo for many years to come. Makawao Hongwanji Judo Club is his club.

Molokai had seven competitors at Saturday’s meet. The Framers won four of the girls’ titles. A junior Farmer, Olapa Duvauchelle won the girls’ 129A class.

Ron Hiyakumoto, Kamehameha Maui coach, said that the sport is growing in the MIL despite its small numbers.

Hiyakumoto was also a referee during Saturday’s meet. For more than 30 years, Hiyakumoto has been involved in the sport.