WLB Olympian Yonezuka Wins Bronze at Senior Pan Am Judo Championships

Olympian Jack Yonezuka (l) of West Long Branch with his silver medal on the podium of the men’s 73kg division at the Senior Pan American Championships in Panama City, Panama, on April 18.

Olympian Jack Yonezuka from West Long Branch / NYAC / Cranford JKC, won his second straight medal at the Senior Pan American Judo Championships on April 18 in Panama City, Panama. He won gold last year.

On Saturday, he reached the final of the men’s 73 kg division by scoring three straight victories by ippon (one point) over Alejandro Mora (CRC), Jose Gonzalez (ECU) and Justin Lemire (CAN). Facing World No. 3 Daniel Cargnin (BRA) in a rematch of the 2025 final, Cargnin was able to score the only point of the match on a waza-ari (1/2 point) to claim the gold.