Punahou coach Greg Chow knows getting to the top is tough, but staying there is tougher.

The Buffanblu boys team is poised to defend its title against several worthy opponents in today's Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Judo State Championships.

Matches begin at 1 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawai'i.

Punahou, O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion Pearl City and Moanalua are the front-runners for the team title.

"It can go any way," said Chow in his fourth year as coach at Punahou. "Whoever has a good day really."

Punahou, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, returns state three state titlists. However, each will face stiff competition in their respective weight classes.

Sophomore Reid Oshiro is the top seed in the 121-pound division, but third-seeded Derron Maki of Moanalua won the 114-pound division in 2005. Maki was upset by Oshiro in the 2006 state final and the three-time OIA champion is seeking revenge.

"I don't think I was at my best, mentally and physically," said Maki of the loss to Oshiro. "I now know anything can happen and I'm going to be ready for every opponent."

Another Buffanblu sophomore, Arnold Toriumi, is seeking his second state championship. Toriumi will compete at 132 pounds and looks to be on a crash-course with Na Menehune sophomore Justin Osumi.

"I think I'm more experienced at playing at a heavier weight than him, but he's got great technique and I heard he's gotten really strong," said Toriumi. "It'll probably go the full five minutes."

Osumi moved up from the 108-pound division, where he won the state title last year.

"It's a real toss up. Moanalua and Punahou might eliminate each other," said Na Menehune coach Brandon Maki.

Chow agreed: "If we knock each other out, the advantage goes to Pearl City."

Another potential showdown between the Buffanblu and Na Menehune could happen in the 108-pound final, between Punahou's Jordan Ng and Moanalua's Brady LaFortune. Ng, LaFortune, Oshiro and Maki are all teammates at Salt Lake Judo Club.

Punahou junior Daniel Chow won the state championship at 161 pounds last year, but is seeded second behind OIA champion, Matt Ogata from Mililani.

"Matt's a very experienced player and he probably has about 15 to 20 pounds on Daniel," said Greg Chow. "Matt has more strength, Daniel has more technique. It may come down to penalties."

Daniel Chow isn't taking Ogata lightly. "I think it'll come down to whoever is more mentally ready for his opponent."

Pearl City head coach Robin Puahala has his eye on the potential bout as well.

"That's going to be the key matchup for us. It won't have any of our players involved, but we'll need the rest of the OIA to help us out, because Punahou is such a juggernaut," he said.

Chargers' junior Christian Pavo can become the second boy to win three state titles if he wins at 198 pounds. He won his first two titles at 178.

"He looks good at practice," said Puahala. "But he's got a tough draw; he's playing the ILH champ (Matt Tsubota of Lutheran) in the semifinals."

Two other Chargers, Bill Takeuchi (114) and Tyler Lauifi (275) are considered favorites in their respective divisions.

The team title may be decided in large part in the consolation matches.

"Those will be just as important," said Puahala. "The championships are won on the backside. That's where all the points will come from. Not everybody will rely on their state champions to get points."

The marquee division in the girls' competition is at 122 pounds, where Farrington's Tani Ader and McKinley's Lianne Tomishima are expected to reach the final. The pair have a combined five state titles.

"Both of them are very good," said Farrington coach Whitney Elizaga. "I think whoever wants it most will win."

Ader and Tomishima went into overtime Saturday, before the Farrington junior drew a stalling penalty on the McKinley senior, winning her third OIA title.

"She's really good, it was a good match," said Ader. "We kind of do the same throws and we're matched on strength and quickness."

McKinley coach Lance Iida knows it will be a tightly contested match. "It's going to be a really good match, but it'll come down to who makes the most mistakes," he said.

If Tomishima wins, she will be the first judoka (boy or girl) to win four state championships.

"I take it one year at a time," said Tomishima. "Each state title is different, but it's just as important as any other year."

Farrington is the defending team champion.

"The girls are under a lot of pressure to repeat," said Elizaga. "Everybody has to come together on Saturday."

The Governors, along with McKinley, Pearl City, Kahuku, 'Iolani and Kamehameha are in contention for the team title.

Farrington's Taylor Ibera (98 pounds) and Samantha Batoon (109), 'Iolani's Megan Morisada (115), Pearl City's Jillian Fontanilla (139) and Hilo's Relle Sato (154) will be defending their state titles.

Admission is $9 adults, $5 seniors (62-over) and students (K-12). Parking is $3.