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Penn, Akebono highlight K-1 card

Hilo fighter B.J. Penn will take on Renzo Gracie in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 at Aloha Stadium July 29, according to Rumble World Entertainment President J.D. Penn.

Penn, who has won four of his last five fights, defeated Rodrigo Gracie by unanimous decision in his last fight in the islands at Rumble on the Rock 6 on Nov. 2004.

Penn was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer last month, but J.D. Penn says the ongoing trial will not interfere with the event. If convicted, Penn, who is free on $20,000 bail, could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Local sumotori Akebono will also be on the card taking on Hong-Man Choi of Korea. Carter Williams and Japanese fighter Musashi have also signed to fight. The undercard will consist of an eight-man heavyweight tournament in which an athlete must win three matches to be crowned the champion.

Lingle helps stadium improvements

Gov. Linda Lingle has released $200,000 for improvements at Aloha Stadium.

The money will be used to install network cabling and transmission hardware that will improve operational efficiency and allow all box offices to sell reserved seating tickets. The project is expected to be completed by the start of the Hawaii football season.

Bulls win two regional championships

The Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club placed four teams in divisions finals yesterday at the U.S. Soccer Club Region F tournament at Las Vegas and won two titles.

The Bulls defeated Glendora FC from Southern California 2-1 on penalty kicks (6-5) in the Premier Girls Under 13 final. Kara Yamamoto scored in the second half to tie the match.

The U13 national tournament is July 21-24 in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Bulls Under 17 Premier Girls edged SC Sporting Ruckus of Northern California 1-0 on a goal by Lucy Caires, an Iolani student.

The U17 national tournament is Aug. 5-8 at Stony Brook, N.Y.

In the Premier Girls Under 15 showdown, Sereno SC from Arizona stopped the Bulls 3-1 and in the Premier Boys Under 14 championship match, Flyers SC from Southern California beat the Bulls 3-1.

Lorne qualifies for rodeo event

Kahuku eighth-grader Marin Lorne has earned a spot on the state Wrangler Junior High rodeo team and will compete in the pole bending and goat tying competitions at the first Wrangler Junior High Rodeo Finals in Gallup, N.M., July 5-8.

Featuring more than 700 participants from 29 states, the Wrangler Junior High Finals is the world's largest junior high rodeo.