TOKYO -- Yokozuna Takanohana tops the sumo ranks for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, Jan. 11-25 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Koku-gikan, as east yokozuna for a sixth straight tournament. Takanohana again
Kyodo news service
gets top rankingAkebono, or Hawaii's Chad Rowan, who will sit as grand champion on the west side of the dohyo in January, moved into a tie for seventh place as a reigning yokozuna with his 30th straight tourney as sumo's top rank in the new rankings released today by the Japan Sumo Association.
At ozeki, Takanonami, winner of the Kyushu meet, moves ahead of Musashimaru, or Hawaii's Fiamalu Penitani, to the east side of the ring and will be in a position to earn promotion to yokozuna if he can win the New Year tourney or post some convincing numbers.
The 16th annual Morey World Bodyboarding Championships will be held during the period of Jan. 5-13 at Ehukai Beach on the North Shore's famed Banzai Pipeline. Bodyboarding crown on line
There will be a $40,000 5-A men's competition and, for the first time, a $30,000 7-A women's contest. The event will determine both the men's and women's Morey Pipeline champions and the Global Organization of Bodyboarders title.
More than 200 bodyboarders from 20 countries are expected to take part, including 10-time Pipe champion Mike Stewart of Hawaii, defending Pipe champ Steve Mackenzie of Australia and current world titlists Guilherme Tamega and Daniela Freitas, both of Brazil.
Pre-trials are scheduled for Jan. 3 at the Turtle Bay Hilton. Three full days of big surf then will be needed to complete the main event during the Jan. 5-13 window of opportunity. Last year's finalists took on 30-40-foot faces.
UH SHUTTLE BUSES: The University of Hawaii will provide shuttle bus service Saturday through Tuesday for basketball fans from the Waikiki area attending the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic at the Special Events Arena and Rainbow Stadium.
Two Rainbow shuttle buses will follow a route starting from the Outrigger Islander to the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach to the Outrigger Prince Kuhio and then to the arena. The service to and from the games is free.
The buses will run from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, and from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.
UH TICKET HOTLINE: The University of Hawaii Athletic Department's phone ticket hotline will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow through Sunday, Jan. 4.
Fans can purchase tickets via the hotline for all athletic events. A $1 convenience fee is added for each ticket. For Rainbow Classic packages, a $2 convenience fee will be charged.
Normal 9 a.m.-to-4 p.m. hours for phone sales will resume on Monday, Jan. 5.
For more information, call 956-9117.
DRAG RACING: The auto racing season continues tomorrow and Saturday at Hawaii Raceway Park with the gates opening at 6 p.m.
Open street racing for all cars and bikes will be held until midnight each night.
Admission is $6. For more information, call 841-3724.