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‘Wonder Woman’ Estrella-Beauchamp kicks off MIL judo season with victory

Waipuilani Esterella-Beauchamp of Baldwin High School scores by wazari on her way to defeating Kamehameha Maui’s Ashlee Palimoo in a girls 139-pound bout Saturday. -- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Estrella-Beauchamp wears her Wonder Woman slippers. -- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Molokai’s Maria Angst tosses Kamehameha Maui’s Sean Sakamoto to win by ippon in their girls 103-pound bout Saturday. -- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Baldwin’s Makalii Sequeira scores by ippon to defeat teammate Chandler Tumaneng in a boys 161-pound match. -- The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

PUKALANI — Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp wore her Wonder Woman slippers before each round at the Maui Interscholastic League’s season-opening, round-robin judo meet.

The flashy footwear — in a shade of Baldwin High School maroon — feature large, gold “W” emblems that represent not only her first name, but the Bears junior’s penchant for winning.

Estrella-Beauchamp won the 139-pound weight class on Saturday at Kaulaheanuiokamoku Gym.

“I think it’s been okay,” Estrella-Beauchamp said of her performance. “I know I can improve a lot and there’s a lot more I need to practice setting up. Just grips and polishing up my throws.”

Estrella-Beauchamp, who is the defending MIL champion at 139, is also a two-time state champion in wrestling. She said her Wonder Woman slippers were a gift from her father after taking home gold in the 127-pound weight class at the wrestling state championships in February.

Estrella-Beauchamp said that her past success gives her some confidence moving forward with judo. Last year, she placed fifth at the judo state tournament.

“I definitely want to try and make it to states for judo and try to place at least top three,” she said. “Just try my hardest and do all I can do. Next year, just continue to push and continue to try my hardest in judo, even with wrestling.”

Baldwin’s other champions Saturday were Gabriel Valdez (132) and Jamie Celis (145) in the boys competition.

Host Kamehameha Maui also made their mark at the season opener. The Warriors’ Jamilyn Higa (98), Krissa Chang Freitas (109) and Zeriyah Kaina (172) all captured first place in girls matches, while Maurice Vitocovich (boys 108) added a first-place finish on a tie with Maui High’s Jerico Euplas.

Maui High coach Robert Perkins didn’t have to say anything about his team’s performance — his enthusiasm after each match said it all.

The Sabers took home six golds in top-level competition. In addition to Euplas, Race Takahashi (121), Louis Cambra (178), Kyairese Diego-Pula (198) and Jayzen Alvardo (220) won boys titles, while Erica Moreno (115) won in girls competition.

Maui High showed its depth with two B division wins, at 161 by Justin Mina and 178 by Robert Tone-Tanaka.

“We are really good as a team, especially at practice,” Mina said after his first-ever judo match. “Everybody shows up, everybody gives their 100 percent. Everybody is really confident and gives each other motivation. … We’re always cheering them on. Even with losses, we’re cheering them on.”

Molokai had three girls champions in Hiwa Duvauchelle (103), Mallory Go (129) and Cameryn Kahalewai (154). King Kekaulike’s Sarah Fusato won at 122.

Connor Fernandez gave Haleakala Waldorf a win at boys 161.

The next MIL meet is next Saturday at King Kekaulike.

* Dakota Grossman is at dgrossman@mauinews.com.

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MIL MEET NO. 1

Saturday’s Results

At Kamehameha Maui

Girls

98 pounds–1. Jamilyn Higa, Kamehameha Maui; 2. Teani Kaluhikaua, Kamehameha Maui.

103–1. Hiwa Davauchelle, Molokai; 2. Maria Angst, Molokai; 3. Sean Sakamoto, Kamehameha Maui.

115–1. Erica Moreno, Maui High; 2. Zyra Mendoza, Maui High.

122–1. Sarah Fusato, King Kekaulike; 2. Makani Davis, Molokai; 3. Reese Raguindin, Molokai.

129–1. Mallory Go, Molokai; 2. Kawohi Duvauchelle, Molokai; 3. Kaiya Baisa, Kamehameha Maui.

139A–1. Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp, Baldwin; 2. Ashley Palimoo, Kamehameha Maui; 3. Payton Kaalekahi, Molokai.

139B–1. Lala Nardi, Baldwin; Tahan Valdez, Kamehameha Maui.

154–1. Cameryn Kahalewai, Molokai; 2. Kawena Davis, Molokai; 3. Chris Ann Alejo, Maui High.

172–1. Zeriyah Kaina, Kamehameha Maui.

Boys

108–t1. Maurice Vitcovich, Kamehameha Maui; t1. Jericho Euplas, Maui High; 3. Bradin Nitahara, Kamehameha Maui.

121–1. Race Takahashi, Maui High; 2. Luke Perreira, King Kekaulike; 3. Kobie Pagan, Maui High.

132A–1. Gabriel Valdez, Maui High; 2. Hezekiah Macanas, King Kekaulike.

132B–1. Andres Spencer, Kamehameha Maui, 2. Keegan Xiong, Maui High, 3. Jaden Chang, Kamehameha Maui.

145A–1. Jamie Celis, Baldwin; 2. Marc Adrian Domingo, Baldwin; 3. Kahanu Vista, Kamehameha Maui.

145B–1. Kevin Kahoohanohano, Kamehameha Maui; 2. Tyler Kuapahi, Baldwin; 3. Johnathon Karr, King Kekaulike.

161A–1. Connor Fernadez, Haleakala Waldorf; 2. Makalii Sequeira, Baldwin; 3. Chandler Tumaneng, Baldwin.

161B–1. Justin Mina, Maui High; 2. Makaia Lorenzo, Kamehameha Maui; 3. Raven Freitas, Maui High.

178A–1. Louis Cambra, Maui High; 2. Christian Hubbard, Molokai.

178B–1. Robert Tone-Tanaka, Maui High; 2. Jaston Patao, Kamehameha Maui.

198–1. Kyairese Diego-Pula, Maui High.

220–1. Jayzen Alvarado, Maui High, 2. Johnaven Akahi-Miguel, King Kekaulike; 3. Coby Carino, Baldwin.

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