Tegan Yuasa was so confident in his judo skills that he wrote down on a piece of paper that he would notch first place at the national collegiate championships.

The Mercer Island resident who competes for the University of Washington squad said there was no other option but to grasp a gold medal. He believed he could achieve it when sitting at home and writing that message.

“I took second in my freshman and sophomore years, and third in my junior year. Being a three-time All-American at the collegiate national level was huge in boosting my confidence. However, there was also a lot of pressure on me since it was my last chance to try to win the collegiate national championship,” he said.

On April 6, the Mercer Island High School class of 2021 graduate fought hard and unleashed his techniques to snag four victories and that previously elusive gold medal in the men’s 60kg elite division at the National Collegiate Judo Association Championships at the University of New Hampshire.

Along with winning the individual accolade, the now four-time All-American helped the UW squad achieve its first-ever third-place finish in the elite men’s team division.

Yuasa was ultra-prepared for nationals, training up to three times a day as the competition neared. The Islander said that mental strength was on his side as he strove to amass wins by ippon (or knockout) at all costs.

“I felt so ready for the tournament and felt nothing could stop me this year. It paid off, because I won every match by ippon and didn’t let any of my opponents score on me in all four matches I had,” he said.

Under the guidance of Sensei Bert Mackey at the Seattle Budokan Judo Dojo, Yuasa began his judo journey at the age of 6. He took up the sport along with his older brother, Taylan Yuasa, who is a USA Judo National Champion (2015) and professional MMA fighter.

“I like that everything I do in judo, whether I win or lose, is on me. I get to take full credit for when I win, and also take full accountability when I lose,” said Tegan, who has pushed through copious hours of grueling training to reap success. Tegan added that he thrives under pressure.

Over the years, Tegan has competed in a multitude of USA Judo tournaments, was a USA Judo Senior National Champion in 2019 and was a USA Judo Cadet Pan-Am and Cadet World Team member in 2019. He’s trained with the Japanese Olympic Judo Team and at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas with UFC champions and fighters.

“What sets him apart and (makes him) a standout athlete is more than just commitment and skill; it’s a respect for the sport that includes focus and resilience. He’s also a great role model to many of the younger athletes and peers in the judo community and is willing to take the time to teach others, too,” said his father Mark Yuasa.

Tegan points toward his family and others when it comes to the massive amount of support he’s received over the years.

“I feel obligated to give it my all in both training and competitions for the people who believe in me the most,” said Tegan, who is currently in Japan cross-training in both judo and mixed martial arts with some of the top athletes in those athletic realms.

He’s also enjoying a vacation in Japan after finishing school one quarter early at the UW Foster School of Business.

In the near future, Tegan plans to fill his judo docket with more national and international tournaments. After grabbing gold at nationals, he’s filling an alternate slot for the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games in Germany. That prestigious event is “a huge stepping stone to the Olympic Games,” he said.

The Reporter asked Tegan a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his life:

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was from Sensei Byron Redditt from Ippon Judo Dojo in Tacoma. He coached me at a national tournament when I was younger and I lost in the early rounds of the tournament. I was devastated and crying, and he told me to remember how it made me feel to lose in that moment, use it as fuel when I go back to train, and win at the next tournament. I’ve never forgotten that moment.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

“The Karate Kid” (1984) and “Enter the Dragon” (1973).

What’s a special skill you’d like to learn?

I’d like to learn how to two-putt in golf. Maybe even learn to consistently hit my driver straight.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

Bruce Lee, because he is a legend and the godfather of mixed martial arts. Aside from also being a UW alum and having iconic martial arts movies, I am inspired by the way he approached martial arts and life through a philosophical lens, and also him being a cultural icon breaking barriers between the West and East.

What did you like the most while living on Mercer Island?

I enjoy being outdoors in the summer on Mercer Island and spending quality time with my friends and family.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

It is difficult to narrow it down to one person, but I would have to say both my parents and my brother. They have done so much for me in my life and I am so grateful for my family’s support. I am the luckiest person in the world to have them in my life.

Tegan Yuasa, bottom row center, gathers with his University of Washington judo team at the national collegiate championships. Courtesy photo

First-placer Tegan Yuasa of the University of Washington joins second-place teammate Canbo Li and third-placer Yutaka Tsuneki of Texas A&M on the awards podium at the national collegiate championships. Courtesy photo