California Judokas Shine as They Qualify for Pan American Championships in Ecuador

California Athletes Qualify for Cadet & Junior Pan American Championships

Four standout athletes with strong ties to the California judo community have earned the opportunity to represent the United States at the Cadet and Junior Pan American Championships, taking place April 27–29 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Sascha Leviano (Griffin Judo), Liam Kesler (CJ Judo), Jonathan Yang (NYAC), and Iya Sadanchikova (San Jose State University) all secured their spots on the U.S. team after impressive performances at the USA Judo Youth National Championships in Wichita, Kansas, where the qualification process featured some of the toughest junior competition in the country.

Earning a place on a Pan American Championship team is a significant milestone for any young judoka. Each of these athletes had to battle through deep and talented divisions, overcoming elite national competition to claim their position on Team USA.

A Talented and Experienced Group

Jonathan Yang, who grew up training with LA Judo in Los Angeles, enters the event as the most experienced international competitor of the group. Yang captured Cadet World Championship gold in 2024 and followed it up with a Junior World Championship bronze medal in 2025, establishing himself as one of the top young judoka in the world.

Liam Kesler (CJ Judo) will also bring valuable international experience to Ecuador. Kesler represented the United States last summer at the Cadet World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, and continues to build momentum as one of the rising talents from Northern California.

Iya Sadanchikova (San Jose State University) continues her impressive run on the international stage. The SJSU standout will be competing on her second consecutive U.S. Junior World Team, after representing the United States at the Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru last year.

Meanwhile, Sascha Lievano (Griffin Judo) will make his international debut after delivering a dominant performance during the trials in Wichita. Leviano’s strong showing at Youth Nationals earned him a well-deserved opportunity to compete on the Pan American stage for the first time.

Representing the United States

The Cadet and Junior Pan American Championships bring together the best young judoka from across North, Central, and South America. For these four athletes, the event represents not only a chance to compete for continental medals but also an important step in their continued development on the international judo circuit.

The Judo United community will be watching closely as Lievano, Kesler, Yang, and Sadanchikova step onto the mat in Ecuador.