THE ATENEO Judo Team turned in a laudable showing in the recently-concluded 2024 Philippine Judo Federation National Judo Championships, collecting three silver and five bronze medals last weekend, April 27 and 28. The Blue Eagles were represented by 10 judokas in the tournament’s first iteration since 2010 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Philippine Sports Commission Badminton Hall in the City of Manila.

Day one of the competition covered the women’s lightweight and men’s heavyweight divisions. On  the women’s side, Yza Claravall, Alex Tendero, and Robynne Gonzales bannered the Blue and White in the -48kg, -57kg, and -57kg divisions, respectively. Meanwhile, Ateneo judokas Aldwyn Thor and Stefan Fabre competed in day one’s -81kg and -90kg divisions, respectively.

The Atenean contingent was quick to collect hardware in the national meet, as Thor and Fabre each copped silver medals while Claravall and Gonzales bagged bronze finishes.

The final day saw the men’s lightweight and women’s heavyweight divisions take the mats. Blue Eagles Pablo Deray IV, Trev Apostol, Keoni Dylim, and Lorenz Mendoza participated in the Men’s -55kg, -66kg, -66kg, and -73kg divisions, respectively. Meanwhile, University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 Gold Medalist and Co-Captain Maxine Mababangloob took on double duty on the same day in the -78kg and open weight divisions.

Apostol and Dylim each brought home a bronze medal in the -66kg division, while Mababangloob captured silver in the -78kg division and bronze in the open weight division to cap off Ateneo’s productive outing.

Other clubs that partook in the national championships were the Central Judo Club, Muntinlupa Judo Club, Philippine Coast Guard, University de Manila, University of the East, Ultimate Judo Fighters Club, University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, and the Valenzuela Judo Club.

Just a month after their stint in the national championships, the Ateneo Judo Team will represent the nation in the upcoming Southeast Asia Judo Championships from May 31 to June 2 in Bali, Indonesia.