Yonezuka Reaches Round of 16 at Senior Worlds

(Colorado Springs, CO) – Jack Yonezuka (West Long Branch, N.J. / NYAC / Cranford JKC) reached the round of 16 at the world championships for the second time in his career on Sunday during the third day of competition at the OTP Bank World Senior Championships in Budapest. The 2024 Olympian was competing in his fourth straight Senior World Championships.

2025 Senior World Championships Live Stream and Results

Both of Yonezuka's matches in the men's 73 kg division went into Golden Score (sudden death overtime). After receiving a first-round bye, Yonezuka faced Joshua Green (IRL) in the round of 32. Scoreless through the first four minutes, the match entered Golden Score and in the second minute of the extra time, Yonezuka was able to execute his signature osaekomi (pinning technique) to hold down Green for a five-second yuko score and secure the victory.

Yonezuka fought another scoreless regulation in the round of 16 against Otari Kvantidze (POR) and the contest went deep into Golden Score with both players exhibiting signs of fatigue. In the fourth minute of extra time, Kvantidze was able to throw Yonezuka. The move was reviewed by the ringside judges and confirmed as a waza-ari (half-point), giving the Portuguese fighter the win. Kvantidze would go on to finish seventh.

Also in action for the U.S. on Sunday was six-time Senior World Team member Mariah Holguin (San Antonio, Texas / Universal Judo) in the women's 57 kg competition. Following a first-round bye, Holguin matched up against 2020 Olympian Daria Kurbonmamadova (IJF) in the round of 32. Kurbonmamadova came out fast, scoring a waza-ari in the first 10 seconds and followed that up 40 seconds later with a ura-nage (back throw) for ippon to claim the victory.

Competition in Budapest continues on Monday with Johan Silot (Salem, Mass. / NYAC / Pedro’s Judo Center) making his Senior Worlds debut in the men's 81 kg competition.

Sunday's top eight and U.S. results are as follows:

Men’s 73 kg
1. Joan-Benjamin Gaba (FRA)
2. Daniel Cargnin (BRA)
3. Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov (UAE)
3. Tatsuki Ishihara (JPN)
5. Bajsangur Bagajev (SRB)
5. Manuel Lombardo (ITA)
7. Otari Kvantidze (POR)
7. Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE)
Also Competed: Jack Yonezuka (West Long Branch, N.J. / NYAC / Cranford JKC), 1-1

Women’s 57 kg
1. Eteri Liparteliani (GEO)
2. Momo Tamaoki (JPN)
3. Shirlen Nascimento (BRA)
3. Sarah Leonie Cysique (FRA)
5. Maysa Pardayeva (TKM)
5. Shukurjon Aminova (UZB)
7. Marica Perisic (SRB)
7. Pihla Salonen (FIN)
Also Competed: Mariah Holguin (San Antonio, Texas / Universal Judo), 0-1