Liliko Ogasawara

Liliko Ogasawara, Judo, 1990-93

    One of the top American women to compete in the sport of judo, Liliko Ogasawara was well known in her sport before she enrolled at San Jose State. Trained by her father, she was a national champion at age 16. Ogasawara won National Collegiate Judo Championships for San Jose State in 1992 and 1993. Overall, she is a nine-time national championship judoka.

    Ogasawara is the first American woman to win two medals at the annual World Championships. She was a silver medalist in 1993 and the bronze medalist in 1995, both in the 145-pounds and under weight class.

    The San Jose State graduate represented the United States in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She went on to earn a master’s degree from Montclair State University. The multi-talented Ogasawara is the lead vocalist for the musical duet group, Sessomorte.