Right after being awarded third and fifth place, respectively, in the men’s and women’s divisions last season, the DLSU Judokas immediately started training for the UAAP Season 79 Judo Championships. According to records from the OSD which date back to Season 62, the Green Judokas have been consistent in earning podium finishes. However, although they are contenders in the league, they have yet to clinch a title. Meanwhile, the Lady Judokas were crowned champions three years ago, but fell to fifth place in the past two seasons.
Preparing for the season
David Gordon, a sophomore, explains that the team has been pushing themselves in training almost everyday, as they hope to bag the championship in the upcoming tournament. “We really trained hard right after finishing third last season. We really pushed ourselves everyday. So I think we’re ready.”
The Green and Lady Judokas were also quite busy during the off-season as they participated in eight different tournaments. They managed to finish with a total haul of 14 gold, 20 silver, and 22 bronze medals. “The team performed well during the pre-season tournaments. This puts us on track for our goal this UAAP Season,” Gordon elaborates. Members from both teams participated in local tournaments, namely the SPAR Judo Tournament, Bro. Ceci Judo Tournament, Hajime 2016, Third All Women’s Martial Arts Festival, UP Diliman Slam, the Kitedio-Manigbato held in Baguio, and the 2016 Philippine National Games.
They also got a taste of overseas competition at the Thailand International Judo North Bangkok University Championships 2016. The hectic pre-season tournaments gave the La Salle Judokas further practice and experience in the hopes of clinching the sought-after championship.
Out for redemption
The Green Judokas only lost Norman Chua to graduation and are stepping into Season 79 with a new member in Anton Duenas. On the other hand, the Lady Judokas’ team captain, 1st Dan Black Belter Marj Santiago, is expected to return after missing the previous season due to an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury. The return of Santiago to the women’s team, along with the experienced and unblemished line up of the Green Judokas, will help the DLSU Judo Teams gather as many ippons as they can with their revamped form and improved technique.
Despite the second place finish of the UST Growling Tigers last season in the men’s division, Gordon still believes that they are the team to beat in the coming season due to their intact roster.
Gordon expects his team to redeem their bronze finish last year after falling to the defending champions, the ADMU Blue Eagles, and UST. “We have to take it one game at a time, not focus on winning the goal right away. Go through eliminations, go through the semi-finals, and all that.” After a year of intense training, the La Salle Judokas are more than prepared to face this year’s tournament.
The La Salle Judokas will hit the mats on November 19 and 20 at the De La Salle Zobel Sports Pavilion.
