Springs judo player all business

Judo champion Taylor Takata is representing Colorado Springs in the U.S. Open Judo Championships this weekend at the Olympic Training Center, and although he's 26, this isn't his first time in the spotlight.

He has won 36 medals, including 12 gold, in his career. He started competing in 2000, but says he was introduced to judo when he was 12.

"My dad and his friend got me into judo when I was younger," Takata said. "I've always liked judo because it's an individual sport and you have to push yourself to train everyday to get better."

Takata has been on numerous world championship teams and recently won gold in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 66-kilogram division. He finished ninth at the Beijing Games.

"At this point I still want to medal in the Olympics before my career is over," he said. "Until that happens, my focus is to train very hard and be the best judo player I can be."

Takata started college at San Jose State, where he attended one year on a judo scholarship before moving to Colorado Springs to focus on his craft and train at the Olympic Training Center. He's finishing his degree in finance at UCCS.

"When I'm finished competing in judo, I want to get into something to do with business," he said. "I think I want to own my own business back home in Hawaii someday."

Takata credits discipline and work ethic for his success.

"I have put in a lot of time in the gym because I want to be the best I possibly can be," he said. "I think that somebody can be successful in any individual sport if they sacrifice and dedicate themselves."

Takata on Saturday finished tied for fifth in the Open Judo Championships with Josh O'Neil, also of Colorado Springs.

In the men's 73-kg division, Ryan Reser of Colorado Springs took first. In the men's open, Iavor Kostadinov of Colorado Springs tied for fifth.