By Barry Villamil | MYPC Sports
I would like to recognize and pay tribute to the outstanding Pearl City Chargers Judo Program who are adding another layer to their storied and honored Charger Championship legacy.
The Chargers Girls and Boys Judo teams are filled with the spirit of CHARGER PRIDE…EXCELLECE WITH HONOR that has led to Oahu Interscholastic team and individual championships so far in 2025.
The Chargers are locked into this Saturday’s OIA Individual Championships at Leilehua High School followed by the HHSAA State Team and Individual Championships scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at the University of Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center.
The Charges have already captured the OIA Girls Team Championship and finished second in the OIA Boys Team Championship. Last Saturday, the Charger Girls and Boys brought home team championships at the OIA Western Division Team Championships held at Pearl City High School. They also bid Aloha to their amazing Charger Senior Girls and Boys teammates.
As Charger fans, we are witnessing history in the making as the Chargers strive to claim Individual and Team Championships. The Chargers are young, extremely talented, and proud to wear Charger Pride on their sleeves.
It all begins with leadership, guidance, and championship knowledge and experience from a group of outstanding and dedicated coaches and support staff led by Head Coach Robin Puahala.
The love and appreciation for one another is shared between coaches and players that embraces inspiration upon the Charger Judo ohana and to all that come in contact with them while sharing and cheering on their success.
The current Charger coaching staff represent a proud group of former OIA and HHSAA State Judo Individual and Team champions who have returned to their alma mater to build and share their skills to the next generation of Charger Champions.
On the Charger’s coaching staff is former OIA and HHSAA State Champion Louise Pekelo who is a proud graduate from the Chargers Class of 2015. Louise is also crowned National Champion after capturing the 2019 Senior National Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Chargers have a unique group of Seniors and underclassmen that who are also recognized in 2024-2025 as Nationally ranked Charger wrestling team who went from winning OIA and HHSAA Championships to the 2025 OIA Judo season.
Mahalo to Head Coach Robin Puahala and coaching staff for allowing me the opportunity to capture the Girls and Boys Judo teams in action throughout the OIA regular season and OIA and HHSAA State post season.
GO CHARGERS!
Photos by Barry Villamil | MYPC Sports
