Kotaka, Au lead Hawaii’s
medal haul from Utah

Local athletes Elisa Au and George Kotaka added a few more gold medals to their career hauls yesterday, both winning grand champion status at the National Karate Championships at Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kotaka, 24, won gold in the three events he entered, earning grand champion status in kata. The 20-year old Au grabbed only one gold after taking two last year, but the one she earned -- in kumite -- was good enough for elite status.

She won three silver medals.

Hawaii sent 31 athletes to the games and will bring back 166 medals, 108 of them gold.

Noelani Mikami, Aubrey Nakagawa, Elouisa Tanjutco and Malia Chang swept the four individual contests they were in.

Lyau outlasts Dickie in Banana Man chase

Jonathan Lyau won the MDA Jamba Juice 5K race yesterday, beating Bob Dickie by less than a second with a time of 15:11.

The women's race was not nearly as close, with Victoria Chang running a 17:15 to beat Nina Christensen by 25 seconds.

Oahu Country Club tournament stacked

Defending champion Parker McLachlin will not be playing in the Oahu Country Club Invitational beginning Thursday, but several past champions will.

Joe Phengsavath, Brandan Kop, Wendell Kop and Randy Shibuya are expected to compete for McLachlin's title in the event's 39th year.