Valentine to Judo Grand Prix
Mid-Pacific Institute biology teacher Michael Valentine, the oldest member of Team USA at age 36, is competing at the IJF Judo Grand Prix that began today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Valentine qualified for the U.S. travel team earlier this year by placing third in the senior (elite) division and first in his age group (veterans) at the national meet. The black belt is entered in the 66kg (145-pound) division.
Valentine, who fights out of Hawaii Tenri Judo, is one of three men on the American senior elite roster. Competition runs through Saturday.
Balasi on pro boxing card
Honolulu’s Michael Balasi will take on Giovanni Santillan of San Diego in a co-main welterweight bout tonight in Ontario, Calif.
Balasi (10-2, 7 KOs) and Santillan (10-0, 6 KOs) are part of Thompson Boxing Promotions’ final show of the year at the Doubletree Hotel. The fight is scheduled for eight rounds.
Rell Sunn Aloha Jam Saturday
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s Rell Sunn Aloha Jam IV at Waimea Valley.
The event runs from 5:30 to 11 p.m. with heavy pupu and entertainment by Henry Kapono, John Cruz and Brother Noland. It is a benefit for the Rell Sunn Educational Fund, which honors the late women’s surfing pioneer and lifeguard known as the "Queen of Makaha." General admission is $20 with VIP tickets $60.
Also, the 38th Rell Sunn Menehune Surf Contest is scheduled for Nov. 29 at Makaha Beach. The event is for youth, ages 4 through 12.
Tennis team second at nationals
Hawaii’s 7.0 mixed doubles representatives placed second at last weekend’s U.S. Tennis Association League Adult National Championships, in Tucson, Ariz.
Hawaii was swept by San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the championship. Earlier, Hawaii defeated Columbia, Md., 2-1, in the semifinals. The team, captained by Elizabeth Maki, included Sean Lewis, Colleen Oshiro, Alan Tom, Carol Hasegawa, Dexter Ching, Kellie Ko, Justin Mcouat, Taryn Shoda, Everott Lau and Erika Kayukawa.
Prep sand volleyball this weekend
The inaugural Hawaii State Prep Sand Volleyball Championships, featuring boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams, begins this afternoon with qualifying matches at Queen’s Beach. The doubles event continues Saturday and Sunday. OC16 is scheduled to televise Sunday’s finals.
Trio claim extreme cowboy world titles
Three Hawaii riders won their respective divisions at the Extreme Cowboy Association’s World Championship earlier this month at the Circle T Arena in Hamilton, Texas.
In the Young Guns, Gianna Sbarbarbo bested 13 others for the world championship. Piper Crabtree was second, earning the reserve title.
Kayla Ginella topped 34 other rides in the Novice Division and also earned the reserve title in the Youth Division. The Youth Division, with 25 riders, was won by Hawaii’s Elena Aoki.
Paris Starn placed third in Novice and sixth in Youth. Meilan Sims was third and Brooke Matson seventh in Youth.
Go-Round buckle winners were Crabtree (Young Guns), Starn (Novice) and Ginella (Youth).
WHAT’S HAPPENING
TODAY
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Hawaii State Prep Championships: 4 p.m., Queen’s Beach. aloharegionjuniors.org.
SURFING
Vans Triple Crown Reef Hawaiian Pro: 8 a.m., Ali’i Beach, Haleiwa. Holding period through Sunday. vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com.
SATURDAY
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Hawaii State Prep Championships: 8:30 a.m., Queen’s Beach. aloharegionjuniors.org.
BMX
Island BMX: Stage race. Registration, 4 p.m. Racing, 5 p.m. Sandbox track, Sand Island. islandbmx.com.
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
Aloha State Championship: 8 a.m., Pearl City High gym. hawaiitriplecrown.com.
FUNDRAISER
Rell Sunn Aloha Jam IV: 5:30 p.m., Waimea Valley. Benefit for the Rell Sunn Educational Fund. rellsunn.com.
LAWN BOWLING
Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club: 10 a.m., HLBC clubhouse, Ala Moana Beach Park. honolululawnbowls.com.
RODEO
DK Ranch Roping: 5 p.m., DK Ranch, Waimanalo. rodeooahu.com.
SURFING
Vans Triple Crown Reef Hawaiian Pro: 8 a.m., Ali‘i Beach, Haleiwa. Holding period through Sunday. vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com.
SWIM
YMCA Turkey Swim: 2K, 8 a.m., Ala Moana Beach Park. 541-5251.
TENNIS
USTA Hawaii: Annual meeting, noon, Ala Moana Hotel. hawaii.usta.com.
USTA Hawaii Tennis Hall of Fame: Induction & awards banquet, 5:30 p.m., Ala Moana Hotel. hawaii.usta.com.
WALK
St. Jude Give Thanks: 8 a.m. Neal Blaisdell Park. 535-9070.
SUNDAY
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Hawaii State Prep Championships: 8:30 a.m., Queen’s Beach. aloharegionjuniors.org.
CRICKET
Honolulu Cricket Club: inter-club match, 11 a.m., Kapiolani Park. honolulucricketclub.org.
EQUESTRIAN
Hawaii Horse Show Association: Annual meeting, 3 p.m., President’s Pavilion, Punahou School. hhsa.us.
HIKING
Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club: Tantalus, 6 miles. Meet: 8 a.m., Iolani Palace. htmclub.org.
KAYAKING
ACA Paddling Clinic: 8 a.m., Duke Kahanamoku Beach. huiwaa.org.
MOTOCROSS
HMA Toys for Tots TT: 8 a.m., Kahuku Motocross Park. ridehma.com.
RUNNING
Lanikai 10K: 6 a.m., Kailua Beach Park. bocahawaii.com.
Honolulu Marathon Clinic: 7:30 a.m., Kapiolani Park, across from Paki Hale. Free. honolulumarathonclinic.org.
SURFING
Vans Triple Crown Reef Hawaiian Pro: 8 a.m., Ali‘i Beach, Haleiwa. vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com.
TRAIL RUN
XTERRA World Championships: 9 a.m., Kualoa Ranch. 5K, 10K, half-marathon. xterrakualoa.com.
TRIATHLON
Lavaman Keauhou: 7 a.m., Keauhou-Kona. lavamantriathlon.com.
SIGN ME UP
BASEBALL
Windward P.O.N.Y.: Ages 5-14. Registration: Dec. 7 & 14. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Enchanted Lake Elementary School. 341-6508. windwardpony@gmail.com.
BIATHLON
Christmas: Nov. 30. 7:30 a.m., Ala Moana Beach Park. 5K run & 1K swim. Individual & relay. waikikiswimclub.org.
INLINE HOCKEY
Kapolei Inline Hockey Arenas: Free ‘learn to play’ sessions with Team USA member Jami Yoder, 7:30-9:15 a.m., Saturdays through Dec. 14, 1057 Opakapaka St., Kapolei. Gear provided. kihawaii.com.
RUNNING
Turkey Trot Guess Your Time: 6:30 a.m., Nov. 28, Kapiolani Park. honolulumarathonclinic.org.
2nd North Shore 5K Kawela Bay: 7:30 a.m., Nov. 28, Turtle Bay Resort. turtlebayresort.com.
SAM’s 5K: 7 a.m., Dec. 1, Kapiolani Park. mprrc.com.
SURFING
38th Rell Sunn Menehune Championships: Nov. 29, Makaha Beach. Ages 4-12. rellsunn.com.
TENNIS
WTT Team Tournament: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Central Oahu Regional Park courts. Divisions: 3.0-4.5. hawaiitennis.org.
Hawaii Masters Series: Winter tournament, Dec. 27-29, Diamond Head tennis courts. hawaiitennis.org.
USTA Hawaii: Learn to play spring sessions, youth & adults. hawaii.usta.com.
