Three National Champions from Lakewood Judo Team

Posted by Ben Sclair · August 6, 2009

Ippon Judo Dojo at the Lakewood Family YMCA took a team of eight competitors to the USA Judo National Junior Olympic Championships in Orlando, Fla., last weekend, and brought home seven medals.

Gold medals were awarded to first-time National competitor Tatiana Borrero-Parker, 7, now four-time National Champion Isaac Harai, 9, along with Davon Johnson, 12. Silver medals were awarded to Jasmine Borrero-Parker, 9, Lahna Harai, 7, and Kiaya Van Scoyoc, 13. Patrick Mendiola, 13, took home a bronze medal.

The victory was especially sweet for Davon Johnson, whose previous three attempts at a National title resulted in fourth place finishes.

“He wanted this bad,” says coach Jason Harai. “Davon was hungry for that gold medal. He never stopped working hard all these years, and I could really see that desire and dedication during our Junior Olympic Training Camp and all the extra practices our National Team had. He went all-out, all the time.”

Ippon Judo Dojo offers coed classes for students 6 to adult. We encourage families to join and participate in judo together. All ages are welcome to join judo just for fun or to get in better shape and to learn.