Kyle Taketa at the 2011 US Junior Olympics

Kyle Taketa, a nationally ranked athlete from Southern California, is recovering strongly after he suffered a serious neck injury in early December at a tournament.

“Things are going pretty well,” said his father, Tyrone Taketa. “He’s doing some therapy where he is walking now … We are very hopeful that he’ll have a full recovery. It looks like it right now.”

Taketa is 20 years old and ranked third on the national roster in the 66 kg division. He is a member of the Taishi Judo Club of Carson, CA. When he’ll be back on the mat and at what level, his family doesn’t know yet, said his father. “He’s going to be in judo, one way or another.”

                                                                              Kyle during therapy session