(MAR. 2)— The UP Men’s Judo Team’s (UPMJT) hard training paid off as they ended the season with a podium finish after winning second place at the UAAP Season 82 Judo Championships held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City from Feb. 29 to Mar. 1.

The Maroon Judokas collected an impressive 32 points and clinched three gold medals courtesy of Zarchie Garay, Jayvee Ferrer and Edward Figueroa.

Ferrer, a bronze medalist at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, was also named UAAP Season 82 Men’s Judo Rookie of the Year.

In addition, UPMJT’s Leon Gabriel Avendaño and Paolo Cruz won two silver medals while Gabriel Salazar, Hyesung Lee, Dillen Herrera, Noah Lee and Zildjian Munsayac brought home five bronze medals for UP.

Meanwhile, the UP Women’s Judo Team (UPWJT) also made a podium finish at third place after earning two gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

The two gold medals were awarded to Team Captain Justine Main and Kayla Amado.

This UAAP Season 82, the University of Santo Tomas and University of the East were declared as overall champion for the men’s and women’s judo, respectively. —Haidee C. Pineda, images by Jacelle Isha Bonus