USA Judo Youth National Championships Come to Lansing

The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) is proud to announce the region will play host to the 2022 USA Judo Youth National Championships beginning March 19-20. Nearly 600 of the top young judo athletes in the world are expected to compete, all of whom will bring additional coaches, officials and spectators looking to fill hotels, restaurants, shops and more. The two-day competition will see athletes vie for gold in 17 men’s and women’s categories at the Lansing Center.

Mike Price, executive director of the GLSA states, “This event helps kick off a strong year of sports tournaments for our community after all the pandemic-related disruptions to the sports industry. There is nothing like developing collaborations that give youth a chance to compete while also fostering economic development for the region. Greater Lansing is highly respected as a tournament destination. We can’t wait to showcase our many offerings to the visiting athletes, officials and spectators.”

Please read below for tournament details and ticket information.

2022 USA Judo Youth National Championships Event Information and Results

Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. day with each event running through completion. (Note: Age categories below listed with birth years).

Saturday, March 19 Bantam 1 (2017), Bantam 2 (2016), Bantam 3 (2015), Bantam 4 (2014), Bantam 5 (2013), Bantam 6 (2012) Intermediate (2010-2011) Cadet (2005-2007)

Sunday, March 20 Juvenile (2008-2009) IJF-Junior (2002-2007) All novice events

Tickets are available for purchase online here.

Athletes from at least 32 states and 85 clubs are scheduled to compete in Lansing. Three clubs have 25 athletes or more scheduled to compete, including: Cohen Brothers Judo Club in Vernon Hills, Ill. (44), Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center in Coconut Creek, Fla. (33) and LA Judo Club in Los Angeles, Calif. (25).

The USA Judo Youth National Championships also will serve as the 2022 Junior and Cadet Pan American

500 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 185 ? Lansing, MI 48912 ? (888) 326-5590 ? www.lansingsports.org

Team Trials with the winner of each eligible IJF-Junior and Cadet category qualifying to represent Team USA in Lima, Peru from April 9-10.

Athletes to watch this weekend include nine athletes who medaled at the 2021 Junior and Cadet Pan Ams:

• Alexander Knauf (Yorkville, Ill. / Cohen Brothers Judo Club / 90kg), 2021 Junior Pan Am Champion and Junior World No. 4

• Nicole Cancela (Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 52kg), 2021 Junior Pan Am Champion and Junior World No. 6

• Dominic Rodriguez (Lehigh Acres, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 73kg), 2021 Junior Pan Am bronze medalist and Junior World No. 12

• Shavon Gonzalez (West Palm Beach, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 70kg), 2021 Cadet Pan Am Champion and Cadet World No. 1

• Christopher Velazco (Coral Springs, Fla. / Ki-Itsu-Sai National Training Center / 60kg), two-time Cadet Pan American Champion and Cadet World No. 2

• Karlee Carrouth (Oklahoma City, Okla. / USA Stars / 63kg), 2021 Cadet Pan Am Champion

• Nikolas Vithoulkas (Whitestone, N.Y. / International Judo Center / 90kg), 2021 Cadet Pan Am silver medalist and Cadet World No. 4

• Canna Rupp (Midwest City, Okla. / USA Stars / +70kg), 2021 Cadet Pan Am silver medalist and Cadet World No. 9

• Aiden Cohen (Vernon Hills, Ill. / Cohen Brothers Judo / 81kg), 2021 Cadet Pan Am bronze medalist and Cadet World No. 5

For more information on the event, contact Nicole Jomantas, 719.761.7909 (cell) or Nicole.Jomantas@usajudo.us.

For more information about the work of the Greater Lansing Sports Authority please visit www.lansingsports.org.

The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) is a division of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. The GLSA’s mission is to be the leading voice of sports tourism in the Greater Lansing area and to promote economic growth by attracting a diverse range of sporting events to the region. The GLSA will strive to enhance the quality of life for area residents through the development of local sports and fitness programs for all ages, and to support the continued development and maintenance of safe, high-quality athletic facilities.