Kevin Asano stepped off the mat, thinking he had performed his last ritsu rei (bow). The 18-year-old was done with judo, his Olympic dreams put on the shelf along with all the trophies won, including three as a national high school champion, his judogi respectfully folded and put away.

He had attained shodan, first degree black belt, at 16. It was time to move on.

Until he was given a chance to stay. The judo nationals were coming to Hawaii, a chance to compete without the expensive trek to the mainland.

"It was not going to cost me anything except the entry fee," Asano said. "I made a deal with myself. If I placed first, I’d continue.

"I had only trained for a month, but I won. That changed my life. It was the defining moment."

Seven years later, in Seoul, he became the first U.S. judoka to earn a silver medal.

Some 33 years after that life-changing decision, Asano is president of the U.S. Judo Federation.

And the nationals, held jointly by the USJF and U.S. Judo Association, are again in Hawaii, the first time in 10 years.

Will there be a future Olympian competing this week at Blaisdell Arena?

"You never know," said Asano, who has been inducted into the Hawaii Sports, San Jose State Athletic and USA Judo halls of fame. "It’s a really great opportunity for Hawaii players to compete, especially those who haven’t thought about competing at a high level before.

"You have kids who will go (to nationals) every year wherever it’s held, but there are those who can’t afford to go. This is an excellent opportunity and a great experience for those who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to be at nationals."

More than 800 players from Hawaii, 17 other states, Japan, Canada, Singapore and Tahiti are expected at the three-day event, which for the first time includes seniors and masters divisions. In addition to the junior divisions (7-and-older) on Friday and Saturday, Sunday’s competition will be in seniors (18-over) and masters (30-over).

The opening ceremonies on Friday (junior) and Sunday (senior) are at 8:30 a.m. Competition starts at 9 a.m. all three days. This is one of three junior national events over the summer comprising the "triple crown" of youth judo.

Sensei Vince Sokugawa of Pearl City Hongwanji Judo Club will have about 40 of his players entered, including six who previously have won national titles. Among them are brothers Jonah and Joseph Hoshino, and Jacob Luning-Hoshino, all of whom have also had successful wrestling careers at Kamehameha.

"I’m very excited to have it in Hawaii," said Jonah, who will join older brother Jacob at Midland (Neb.) University this fall on the Warriors wrestling team. "Not only will we get to see international competition, but we’ll see a lot of local players who are able to compete at nationals because it’s here."

Judo is a family commitment for the Hoshinos. Although wrestling has led to college scholarships, the brothers try to take advantage of judo opportunities; next month, Jonah and Joseph will attend a two-week judo camp at Tokai University in Japan.

Father Jay was a senior on Pearl City’s league championship team in 1979 when Asano was a sophomore.

Jay Hoshino will be representing PCHJC as a referee Friday and Saturday, and as a coach on Sunday.

"It’s a blessing to have this in Hawaii," Jay Hoshino said. "It’s such a great opportunity for the Hawaii kids to be able to compete and for their families to be able to watch. They don’t have to pay to travel.

"It’s really nice that they have the seniors and masters divisions. We’ll be having really good people coming here and it’s great for our seniors. It’s going to be quite the sight to see."

Judo is the second most popular sport in the world, behind only soccer. In Hawaii, there are more than 500 clubs.

"I’m looking forward to seeing the different styles that the different countries and clubs from the mainland have," said Sokugawa’s son Chris, a third-degree black belt and sensei who played football for Saint Louis and Utah. "And for some of the Hawaii kids, this will be their only chance at a national competition. It’s an opportunity to be enjoyed."