Yuasa Brothers Throw Opponents, Garner Medals at National Judo Championships

Mercer Island brothers Taylan and Tegan Yuasa displayed their judo self-defense skills at a national level at the Junior U.S. Open Judo Championships held on July 26-28 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, both returning home with medals.

Taylan Yuasa, a junior at Mercer Island High School and member of Budokan Judo Club in Seattle, took second place in the Juvenile B -50 kilogram Division on July 27. Taylan, a brown belt, beat Jaydi Stemmett of South Africa in the quarterfinals; and David Agoglia of Budokan Judo of South Florida in the semifinals. Taylan lost to Brian Abreu of Budokan Judo of South Florida in the Championship finals.

In the competitive, IJF Junior -50 kilogram Division on July 28, Taylan beat Andrew Munnings of Bahamas in the quarterfinals; lost in semifinals to Davit Hovhannisyan of Kenam’s Judo Club of Glendale, Calif.; and in the third place round Taylan beat Edward Raykhelson of Panther Judo Club in South Florida.

Taylan had a 32-1 record this past season in the Pacific Northwest Judo Tournament series age 15-16 division that took place between September, 2012 and June, 2013, and took first place in both the Washington State Championships and Middle-High School State Championships.

Tegan Yuasa, a 5th grader at West Mercer Elementary School and member of the Budokan Judo Club in Seattle, took first place in the Intermediate 2 Division Age 10-11 28 kilogram division on July 27, and third place in the companion Golden Score Tournament -34 kilogram division on July 28.

The U.S. Open Championships drew over 20 countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Suriname, Venezuela, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Iceland, Austria, France, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Curacao, Bonaire, Bahamas, South Africa, Aruba and Canada. More than 650 participants took part in the US Junior Open, and 300 for the Golden Score Tournament.