YULF-Funded Youth Athletes Make Their Mark at National and International Championships
USA Judo’s 2026 Youth National Championships took place from March 14-15 and serves as one of two main youth national events. With over 750 youth athletes competing at the event and the event serving as a trial for the 2026 Cadet and Junior Panamerican/Oceania Championships, the 2026 USA Judo Youth National Championships is one of the most competitive youth national judo events in America.
Owen Toth (center) alongside his coaches at the USA Judo’s 2026 Youth Nationals.
This year, two youth athletes received support from the Yoshihiro Uchida Legacy Foundation’s Youth Judo Program (YJP) to compete at the 2026 USA Judo Youth Nationals Championships: Owen Toth and Iya Sadanchikova.
Owen Toth Earns Strong Top Five Finish
Fifteen-year-old Owen Toth, a current member of the Seattle Dojo, went 3-2 in the Cadet Male –66 kg division, earning a 5th place finish out of 16 cadet male athletes.
The Cadet division age range is between the ages of 15 and 17. Still early in his cadet career, Toth has two more years of eligibility remaining in the division, making his performance at this year’s Youth Nationals an encouraging sign for his future development and long-term potential as he continues to develop.
Iya Sadanchikova Captures Gold and Bronze
Twenty-year-old Iya Sadanchikova is a sophomore at Santa Clara University and a current member of the San Jose State University Judo team.
Competing in the IJF Junior Female -48kg division, Sadanchikova went undefeated with a 4-0 record to capture the gold medal and earn a spot on the 2026 Junior Panamerican Team.
Following her success at the Youth National Championships, Sadanchikova went on to represent Team USA at the 2026 Panamerican Junior Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador the following month with the support of YULF’s Youth Judo Program.
Sadanchikova finished the tournament with a 2-1 record, earning a bronze medal.
Supporting the Next Generation Through the YJP
YULF remains committed to helping youth athletes pursue competitive opportunities and continue their development through the Youth Judo Program. By supporting youth athletes as they compete at national and international events, the foundation continues to invest in the future of American judo while carrying forward the values and legacy of Yoshihiro Uchida.
To support the Youth Judo Program or the Yoshihiro Uchida Legacy Foundation as a whole, CLICK HERE.
