Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Wednesday, June 18, 1997

Umemura charges
into semifinals

Anna Umemura, a recent graduate of Punahou School, posted the most lopsided victory yesterday in the quarterfinal round of the Hawaii State Women's Golf Association match play tournament at the Oahu Country Club.

Umemura ousted Bev Kim, 7 and 6.

Also reaching today's semifinal round were Kamiko Takai, a 2 and 1 winner over Marie Miyashiro; Kristel Kakugawa, who defeated Mahina Ah Yuen, 3 and 2, and Makoto Kamio, with a 2 and 1 win over Marge Ivan.

Kamio and Umemura square off in one match today while Takai meets Kakugawa in the other semifinal.

BALASI, VILORIA WIN: At Marquette, Mich., Hawaii's Michael Balasi and Brian Viloria won their bouts yesterday at the Junior Olympic National Boxing Championships for 15-16 year olds.

Balasi, from the Kalakaua Boxing Club, won by decision over Victor Gutierrez of Wisconsin in the 132-pound class.

Viloria, the defending national and international champion in the 112-pound class from Waipahu, decisioned Jose Rodrigues of Quincy, Wash.

Three Hawaii boxers suffered defeats.

Vladimir Tejada, New York, decisioned Jon Irez, Hawaii Youth BC, in a 119-pound bout; Jason Abrego, Minnesota, decisioned Gaylord Balasi, Kalakaua BC, in a 139-pound fight, and Daryl Woods, California, decisioned Moroni Navarro, Maunakea BC, in the 156-pound class.

BOUCHER FAMILY OUTING: At Kailua-Kona, Jon Boucher, his wife June, his daughter Kristen and her husband Kimo, sailing on the Kona Rainbow captained by Rusty Unger, landed three marlin and one ono to win the fifth annual Tropidilla Wahine Fishing Tournament last weekend.

The three marlin and the 31-pound ono brought the Kona Rainbow's total winnings to $2,940.

The only ahi was caught by Californian Merle King on board Capt. Norm Isaacs' Sundowner. It weighed 971/2 pounds and earned the crew $1,185.

KANAI TOFU WINS CHAMPIONSHIP: Kanai Tofu won the Honolulu Makule Softball League title Sunday at Ala Moana Park with a 15-5 victory over Us.

The champions were 4-1 in the first round and 5-0 in the second round.

Norman Yoshida and Jim Itamoto each had four hits in Sunday's win.

LABOR DAY BIKE TREK: The annual Labor Day Weekend Bicycle Trek, a benefit for the American Lung Association of Hawaii, is scheduled for Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1 on the Big Island.

The ride begins in Hilo, continues along the Hamakua Coast through Waimea and Hawi, and finishes in Kailua-Kona. The registration fee is $125 with riders asked to collect a minimum of $500 in pledges.

The fee includes transportation from Honolulu and neighbor islands to the Big Island and return for riders and bikes, catered meals, snacks, support crew and medical and communications support. For information, call Tim Pfister at the ALAH office on Oahu at 537-5966, ext. 304.

PINEAPPLE CUP TENNIS: Top junior tennis players from around the world will compete in the first Pineapple Cup International Junior Tennis Championships, Sept. 20-27 at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel on the Big Island.

The event, sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, will have boys' and girls' draws in singles and doubles, as well as mixed doubles.

Hawaii's top-ranked players in the boys' and girls' 18's will receive wild-card entries into the main draw.

For more information, telephone (808) 885-7755.