Spring 2025 SJSU Judo Season Recap
As the Spring 2025 semester comes to a close, the San José State University Judo team wrapped up an impressive competitive season with standout performances across three major tournaments: NCJA Collegiate Nationals, Golden State Open and USA Judo Senior Nationals.
NCJA Collegiate Nationals
April 6, 2025 | Durham, NH
The season kicked off with a strong showing at the National Collegiate Judo Association (NCJA) Collegiate Nationals. Four SJSU athletes took home gold and earned their first national titles:
Aaron Jen (-73kg, Sophomore) – Gold
Jaxon Condella (-90kg, Sophomore) – Gold
Melia Manning (-48kg, Freshman) – Gold
Iya Sadanchikova (-52kg, Freshman) – Gold
Silver medals went to:
Matt Bata (-66kg, Junior)
Weston Uyekawa (-73kg, Junior)
Becky Hoang (-52kg, Sophomore)
Team Highlights:
Men’s team: 1st Place
Women’s team: 2nd Place
Weston Uyekawa received the Sportsmanship Award
Five SJSU athletes qualified for the World University Games in Germany this summer: Matt Bata, Aaron Jen, Jaxon Condella, Melia Manning and Becky Hoang
Golden State Open
May 3–4, 2025 | Los Angeles, CA
The team followed up with a strong performance at the Golden State Open, using the tournament as a key tune-up before Senior Nationals.
Results:
Men:
Conor Uyekawa (-60kg) – Senior Gold
Matthew Bata (-66kg) – Senior Bronze
Aaron Jen (-73kg) – Senior Gold & IJF Junior Gold
Kristian Espinoza (-73kg) – Senior Silver
Ryan Kuratani (-81kg) – Senior Silver
Quin Kiel (-90kg) – Senior Silver
Jaxon Condella (-90kg) – Senior Bronze & IJF Junior Gold
Women:
Iya Sadanchikova (-48kg) – Senior Gold & IJF Junior Silver
Melia Manning (-48kg) – Senior Silver & IJF Junior Gold
Becky Hoang (-52kg) – Senior Gold
Mayu Wise (-57kg) – Senior Gold
Nancy Nguyen (-70kg) – Senior Gold
USA Judo Senior Nationals
May 24, 2025 | Birmingham, AL
The season culminated at the USA Judo Senior Nationals, where high stakes met high performance. In addition to USA Judo’s national recognition, medalists received cash awards from USA Judo, as well as the Yoshihiro Uchida Legacy Foundation which agreed to match the USA Judo cash awards to medalists in the amounts of:
Gold: $500
Silver: $250
Bronze: $125
Highlights:
Nancy Nguyen (-70kg, Junior) captured gold and her first Senior National title, battling fiercely from start to finish.
Anne Suzuki (-48kg) and Melia Manning (-48kg, Freshman) both earned bronze—a huge accomplishment for Manning in her debut season.
Aaron Jen (-73kg, Sophomore) bounced back from a narrow semifinal loss to secure bronze, a strong finish to his first semester with the team.
Despite the intense competition, the team walked away with valuable experience and a renewed drive for the second half of the year.
Looking Ahead
The Spring 2025 season showcased the strength, depth and potential of the SJSU Judo team. With national titles, international team selections and individual breakthroughs, the foundation has been set for an exciting rest of the year.
We’re proud of what our athletes have accomplished—and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for updates on the World University Games and the rest of the 2025 competition calendar!
Next Stop: The World University Games
Five SJSU athletes have earned their place on Team USA and will represent the country at the 2025 FISU World University Games, taking place this July in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. This prestigious international event will bring together the best student-athletes from around the globe.
SJSU Student-Judoka Representing Team USA:
Matt Bata – Men’s -66kg
Aaron Jen – Men’s -73kg
Jaxon Condella – Men’s -90kg
Melia Manning – Women’s -48kg
Becky Hoang – Women’s -52kg
We can’t wait to cheer them on as they bring the Spartan spirit to the world stage!
