YULF-Funded Senior Athletes Bring Home Three Medals from the Senior Nationals
The nation’s top judoka gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 9, 2026, for the USA Judo Senior National Championships. With nearly 500 athletes competing for national titles across 12 weight classes, the event showcased the highest senior-level competition in the United States.
Among the competitors were six athletes supported by the Yoshihiro Uchida Legacy Foundation through the YULF Competition Grants:
Trent Tono (Age: 20, Freshman, -60kg)
Shane Takara (Age: 18, Freshman, -66kg)
Justice Cunningham (Age: 23, Freshman, -66kg)
Steven Boldbaatar (Age: 21, Freshman, -73kg)
Melia Manning (Age: 20, Sophomore, -48kg)
Iya Sadanchikova (Age: 20, Sophomore, -48kg)
Leading the group was Trent Tono, who earned silver in the men’s -60kg division. Adding to the hardware, Steven Boldbaatar secured bronze in the men’s -73kg division, while Iya Sadanchikova secured bronze in the women’s -48kg division.
Melia Manning narrowly missed the podium in the women’s -48kg division, placing fifth, while Shane Takara (men’s -66kg) and Justice Cunningham (men’s -66kg) were both eliminated in the early rounds of a highly competitive 21-athlete bracket. Nonetheless, all athletes gained valuable experience against the nation’s top senior competitors.
Supporting the Next Generation
The strong performances resulted in one silver medal, two bronze medals, and a fifth-place finish for the YULF-funded senior athletes, highlighting the athlete’s current capabilities and future potential on the country’s biggest judo stage.
As the 2026 spring semester comes to a close, YULF remains committed to supporting academic and athletic development of youth and senior athletes alike. Through continued investment in education and competitive opportunities, YULF strives to empower the next generation of scholars and elite judoka.
To support the Yoshihiro Uchida Legacy Foundation, CLICK HERE.
