One 2024 Waiakea High School graduate medaled on a global stage last month in South America.
Shudokan Judo Club star Iya Sadanchikova represented Team USA at the 2026 Pan-American Junior Judo National Championships on April 29 in Guayaquil, Ecuador — winning bronze in the women’s 48-kilogram division. She tied for third with Chile’s Maria Valencia.
Laura Vasquez of Ecuador placed first in that category, while Brazil’s Sarah Mendez earned silver. Sadanchikova beat Argentina’s Nayla Burzio and Ecuador’s Carmen Ferrin en route to her medal.
Sadanchikova, who currently is rostered on the San Jose State University judo team, qualified for the event by winning gold at the USA Judo Youth Nationals in March in Wichita, Kan.
Picking up the sport as a sophomore in high school, Sadanchikova told the paper that competing against some of the top competition in the world so early in her career was an enriching experience.
“It was a very good experience,” she said. ” I was very excited to be able to travel and represent USA with the other players. Being around that kind of focused atmosphere is always good.”
Going into the tournament, Sadanchikova’s goal was to medal — but even after reaching that feat, she still believes she could have performed better.
“(Aiming for a medal) should be your first goal if you decide to go to any tournament,” Sadanchikova said. “I am proud of my finish, but I also think I could have done better. I don’t think I performed at my best this time around.”
Despite placing so high, the journey to the podium wasn’t easy for Sadanchikova — especially going into the event with a hamstring that she injured two weeks prior. Sadanchikova was also arm-barred in her opening match, adding an elbow injury to her list of ailments.
Regardless of any roadblocks, nothing was going to stop Sadanchikova from competing in the biggest competition of her life.
“When you get injured like that, the main choice you have to make is if you want to compete or if you don’t,” she explained. “Once you answer that question, then I think you just have to make the right choices and preparation for you to be able to do that. Pain and uncomfortability just have to be a part of that.”
Knowing she can do even better going forward, the overall experience motivated Sadanchikova to keep going in her young judo career — with the full belief in herself that anything is possible.
“Getting a medal from a tournament like that definitely pushes me to get better,” she said. “I think I am always most motivated right after a tournament, regardless of the results. I really hope to just grow my mindset during practice so that I feel more confident with my techniques.”
