Mercer Island’s Taylan and Tegan Yuasa had strong showings at the United States Judo Federation (USJF) Junior National Championships Tournament July 4-6 in Honolulu. The competition drew more than 1,000 competitors from around the United States and other countries.

Tegan, 11 years old and a blue belt from the Budokan Judo Club of Seattle, took second place in the 31 kilogram division of his age group by beating Conor Goucher of Puyallup’s Yushido Judo Club, 1-0. His division had 13 competitors from around the United States.

Tegan also earned a gold medal in the 12-and-under Katame Kata (forms) division with his partner, Alissa Kosugi of Bellevue. The pair also took home a silver medal in the Nage No Kata (forms) division.

Tegan is currently ranked third in the nation on the USA Judo roster for the Intermediate 2 Male Division.

Older brother Taylan Yuasa, who will be a senior at Mercer Island High School and is a member of the Budokan Judo Club of Seattle, took fourth place in the 55 kilogram black belt division at the USJF Senior National Championships in Hawaii.

Taylan, a state qualifier for Mercer Island wrestling this year, was coming off winning gold in the brown belt division and silver in the black division at the USA Judo Senior National Judo Championships on May 2-4 at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

Taylan is currently ranked third in the nation on the USA Judo Senior National Roster in the 55 kilogram division and fourth in the International Judo Federation National Junior Roster in the 55 kilogram division.

Tegan Yuasa, left, and older brother Taylan, right, each earned high marks at the United States Judo Federation Junior National Championships, July 4-6 in Honolulu, Hawaii (contributed photos).