USA Judo Youth Nationals Arrive in Wichita This Weekend

Share:

by Bill Kellick

A male judoka throws his opponent during the 2025 USA Judo Youth National Championships
(Photo by Roy Nanjo)

(Colorado Springs, CO) – More than 600 judo athletes will compete at the USA Judo Youth National Championships in Wichita, Kan., March 14-15. Competition will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m. at the Bob Brown Expo Hall at Century II in downtown Wichita.

Get Involved with Event Connect

2026 Youth Nationals Live Stream and Results

Featuring the nation’s best judo athletes ranging from ages 5-20 years old, the tournament draws athletes from 33 states, including 14 athletes competing in their home state of Kansas.

The Youth Nationals will serve as the Trials for the 2026 Junior and Cadet Pan American / Oceania Championships which will be held from April 28-30 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The winner of each of the IJF-Junior and Cadet competitions in Wichita will earn direct qualification berths to the Championships.

Among this weekend’s competitors to watch are numerous past Senior, Junior and Cadet World Team members, including:

  • Jonathan Yang (Los Angeles, CA / USA Judo National Resident Team / 60 kg), 2024 Cadet World Champion, 2025 Junior World bronze medalist and Junior World No. 1
  • David Leiva (Coral Springs, Fla. / USA Judo National Resident Team / 60 kg), 2022 Cadet World bronze medalist
  • Emily Jaspe (Hialeah, FL / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 63 kg), 2024 Junior Pan American Champion and Junior World No. 3
  • Daniel Shulgin (Philadelphia, PA / Yawara Force / 81 kg), 2024 Cadet Pan American Champion and Junior World No. 6
  • Sebastian Teran (Pompano Beach, Fla. / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center / 55kg), 2025 Cadet Pan American bronze medalist and Cadet World No. 1
  • Aubrey Genereux (Port St. Lucie, Fla. / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center / 52kg), 2024 Cadet Pan American bronze medalist, two-time Cadet World Team member and Cadet World No. 6
  • Nicholas Zadvinskiy (Staten Island, N.Y. / Cranford JKC / 90kg), 2025 Cadet World Team member and Cadet World No. 12
  • Harlee Hiller (Evanston, IL / Cohen Brothers / 52 kg), Three-time Junior Pan Am Championships medalist
  • Jayda Fulp (Fort Worth, TX / Chandler Judo Academy / 78 kg), 2024 Cadet Pan American Champion, three-time Cadet World Team member and 2025 Junior World Team member
  • Henry Parsadanian (North Hollywood, CA / 60 kg), 2024 Cadet Pan American bronze medalist and two-time Cadet World Team member
  • Mackenzie McPherson (Miramar, Fla. / Budokan Judo Club in South Florida / 52kg), 2025 Cadet & Junior World Team member
  • Amaris Bell (Pembroke Pines, Fla. / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center / 48kg), 2025 Cadet Pan American Champion and 2025 Cadet World Team member
  • Adrian Cohen (Vernon Hills, Ill. / Cohen Brothers Judo / 66kg), 2025 Cadet Pan American bronze medalist and 2025 Cadet World Team member
  • Ellianna Abbott (Rayne, La. / Colton Brown Training Center / 57kg), Two-time Cadet World Team member
  • Lily Oh (Ashburn, Va. / Sport Judo / 63kg), Two-time Cadet World Team member

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, March 14
Bantam, Intermediate and Cadet Categories

Sunday, March 15
Juvenile, IJF-Junior and All Novice Categories

Tickets are available at the door or via presale at https://selectaseat.com/judo. Prices are as follows:

One-Day Tickets
General Admission: $20
Youth 9-12: $15
Children 8 and Under: Free

Two-Day Tickets
General Admission: $35
Youth 9-12: $25
Children 8 and Under: Free