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Tessa Richards
joined the PAL Judo team at 8 years of age in the year 2000.
Before joining Judo, Tessa had been experiencing depression
and identity problems. The PAL Judo team welcomed her with
open hearts and she quickly became the most inspirational
member of the team. She became the star of the beginner class
and won every game she played, including games against the
boys. Tessa brought a natural sense of mental toughness,
determination, and fearlessness to her study of Judo.
In the year
2004, Tessa won her second consecutive Junior Nationals
Championship title. According to Judo rules, Tessa had to wait
until age 15 to receive her first degree black belt, also
referred to as Shodan. She was promoted to purple belt at age
13.
On August 18,
2005, Tessa, her sister Alexa, and their mother Nicole, were
tragically murdered at their home in San Mateo. Their father,
Anthony Richards, citing insurmountable financial problems,
killed his family before committing suicide.
At Tessa’s
memorial service, Tessa was posthumously awarded the rank of
Shodan by her Sensei Officer Mike Buckle. All nine of the
black belts from the San Mateo PAL Judo Club presented their
black belts to be laid to rest with Tessa, the highest honor
that a Judoka can be awarded.
While Tessa’s
death has left the PAL organization with a hole that will
never be filled, there is comfort in seeing the influence she
has left behind on her teammates that all aspire to be like
her. With the experiences Tessa found in Judo, she was able to
find true happiness in knowing who she was and what she could
accomplish to fulfill her dreams.
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