Bahrain Sailor, All-Navy Wrestler makes USA world team

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cory Asato | LAS VEGAS (April 29, 2017) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Bobby Yamashita, from Glendale, Colorado and stationed with Naval Support Activity Bahrain, arm throws his opponent during the 2017 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials. Yamashita placed first in the 77-kilogram gi division making him a current USA Grappling world team member to compete in Baku, Azerbaijan in October 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cory Asato/Released)  

LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES

04.27.2017

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Cory Asato 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

LAS VEGAS - Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Bobby Yamashita became the 2017 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials Gi Senior Men 77-kilogram champion in Las Vegas, April 27.

Yamashita competed in a round-robin format and the accolade qualifies him as a current USA Grappling world team member.

“My goal and all of my team [members’ goals are] to be Olympic [champions],” said Yamashita, from Glendale, Colorado and stationed with Naval Support Activity Bahrain. “Unfortunately I didn’t make the world team trials [in Greco-Roman wrestling], but thankfully [USA Wrestling provided the opportunity to compete for a spot on a world team in] gi and no-gi grappling.

Yamashita is currently an All-Navy wrestler, at 71 kilograms in Greco-Roman wrestling, for six years, and has already competed internationally as an Armed Forces Judoka at four Military World Games in India, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and South Korea.

Upon finding out there was a chance to compete for a world team spot at the same venue as the world team trials, Chief Navy Diver Ale Delapeña, All-Navy Wrestling head coach told Yamashita, “hey let’s go for it,” according to Yamashita. “I just love combat, especially [the World Military Games], I feel like I’m at the Olympics with all of the countries [participating], opening ceremonies and different sports [it’s just] incredible.”

Yamashita credits his extensive Judo background for his victory, already being accustomed to practicing and competing in the gi, which is a cotton uniform comprised of a heavy jacket, twill pants and tied closed with a belt that is wrapped and knotted. Yamashita fought through his first opponent’s guard to finish with an arm-bar, while he threw his final opponent, whom he has a history competing with, with a Tai-Otoshi and immediately finished the match with a lapel choke.

“Yeah, I faced [Mike Kelley] twice before and he beat me in no-gi. Better advantage for me, I do judo, I got a nice throw and thankfully I got a nice choke. “[In the gi I] definitely, I feel comfortable and relaxed, especially when we’re natural so I just told myself ‘work my footwork and then get him with the big throws.’

Yamashita later took bronze in no-gi during the 2017 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials senior men 77-kilogram division, April 29. He is now scheduled to compete with the USA Grappling world team in Baku, Azerbaijan in October 2017.

“[Yamashita’s] extremely talented, dedicated and driven,” said Delapeña. “He came to the wrestling team with just his Judo. It’s his passion and that’s exactly what brought him to where he is now, representing the U.S. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

“I’m going to be tough, a tough guy with Judo,” Yamashita said in reference to his upcoming competition with the world team in Baku, Azerbaijan.

• Date Taken: 04.27.2017
• Date Posted: 05.03.2017 17:15
• Story ID: 232455
• Location: LAS VEGAS, NV, US
• Hometown: GLENDALE, CO, US