Kumite grand champion
award goes to Kotaka

George Kotaka of Honolulu won six gold medals en route to winning the kumite grand champion award at last week's AAU/USA National Karate Championships in New Orleans.

It was the fifth straight grand champion title for Kotaka, who also placed first in kobudo and kata in his 65-kilogram weight class. Kotaka was part of the International Karate Federation team from Hawaii which won a combined 142 medals (98 gold, 28 silver and 16 bronze).

Winning seven gold medals each were: Pasza Pouvave, 11-years-old; Eimi Kurita, 12; Masakazu Kurita, 14; Malia Chang, 42; and Janet Ishikawa, 50. Earning six golds and one silver medal apiece were Noelani Mikami, 9, and Melita Hernandez-Yasuda, 44.

In the adult advance division, Elisa Au won two gold medals and four silvers. Also winning two gold medals was 77-year-old Anthony Dibrogrozcio.

Metzger, Wong advance in FIVB beach tourney

Second-seeded Stein Metzger and Kevin Wong of Hawaii won their third straight qualification tournament match yesterday at Stavanger, Norway, to earn a berth into today's opening round of the $180,000 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event.

Metzger and Wong defeated the 10th-seeded team of Stephane Canet and Mathieu Hamet of France, 21-18, 21-19. The Hawaii duo will face Japan's Satoshi Watanabe and Katsuhiro Shiratori today.

Nakama Invitational swim meet opens today

The 53rd Keo Nakama Invitational swim meet, with 29 teams and over 500 participants, begins its three-day run today at the Palolo Recreation Center pool.

Nakama, the legendary swimmer and coach, will preside over tomorrow's opening ceremonies at 8:15 a.m.

Mayor Harris, Fotis among QB Club speakers

Honolulu mayor Jeremy Harris and brothers Jim and John Foti are among the featured speakers at Monday's Honolulu Quarterback Club meeting at the Pagoda Hotel's International Ballroom

Harris will speak on the state of Oahu's sports facilities. The Foti brothers, paddlers from Lanikai Cannoe Club, were part of Hawaii's winning team in the Liberty Challenge canoe race last week in New York.

Also speaking is Clay Benham, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's executive secretary.

Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the noon program. For information, contact Al Minn at 261-5143.

NSA soccer club holding HYSA tryouts Sunday

The National Soccer Academy soccer club, headed by scout Fred Hsu, is holding tryouts and registration for the fall HYSA season for boys ages 9-11 on Sunday, from 2-4 p.m., at Petrie Park in Kaimuki.

The tryouts will be conducted by NSA coaches Michele Nagamine, the current girls' varsity soccer coach at Kamehameha Schools, and Pepe Balina, Hawaii Pacific goalie coach.

There is no charge. For information, contact Ken Wong at 737-0317 or 535-4116.

Japanese fishing team to defend HIBT title

Japan's Indiana Jones Tokyo Fishing Club returns to defend its title when the 42nd Hawaii International Billfish Tournament gets underway off Kailua-Kona next month.

Four other past HIBT champions are in the field: 1998 winner Mauna Kea Game Fishing Club with team captain Emiko Makino; 1997 winner Pajaro Valley Gamefish Club with team captain Rocky Franich; 1992 champion Tournament Anglers with team captain Bill Hoey; and the 1968 champion Los Angeles Billfish Club with team captain Sanbo Sakaguchi.

Registration is still open for the Aug. 11-18 tournament. For more information, to register, contact the HIBT office at (808) 329-6155, email: hibt@konabillfish.com, or visit the official HIBT Web site at www.konabillfish.com

ODKF names recipients of athletic scholarships

The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation has awarded 10 scholarships to college-bound athletes from four islands for the coming year.

First-time recipients are Keesha Aldridge, Michelle Isa, Timothy Ming, Miria Whitford and Allegra Erisman of Oahu; Margaux Bailey from the Big Island; Maui's Maria Howell and Iris Moon; and Kathleen Mokuau and Melani Rawlins from Molokai.

Hawaii's own

Benny Agbayani, Mets: The St. Louis and Hawaii Pacific alumnus struck out pinch-hitting in New York's 13-4 loss to Chicago.

Tomorrow, Agbayani will host "This Week in Baseball," the pregame show for Fox's Major League Baseball game of the week. The show can be seen at 9:30 a.m. on KHON. This week's featured game, which will begin at 10:05 a.m., will be Los Angeles at Seattle. The Mariners have the best record in baseball.

Mike Fetters, Dodgers: The Iolani graduate remains on the disabled list.