• Asashoryu stays perfect • Lihu‘e Pop Warner seeks coaches • Hanapepe youth baseball registration • Koloa Canoe Club recruitment Asashoryu stays perfect TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu overpowered Chiyotaikai on Sunday to close out the New Year Grand Sumo
• Asashoryu stays perfect
• Lihu‘e Pop Warner seeks coaches
• Hanapepe youth baseball registration
• Koloa Canoe Club recruitment
Asashoryu stays perfect
TOKYO — Grand champion Asashoryu overpowered Chiyotaikai on Sunday to close out the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect 15-0 record.
Asashoryu, who wrapped up his 10th Emperor’s Cup on Friday, knocked Chiyotaikai off balance shortly after the faceoff and then waltzed the veteran wrestler out from behind to remain undefeated. Chiyotaikai finished with an 8-7 record, good enough to hold on to his ozeki status.
With his 10th career title, Mongolian Asashoryu joined sumo greats Kitanoumi, Chiyonofuji and Taiho as the only wrestlers to win the New Year meet for three straight years since the establishment of the six-tournament system in 1958.
It was also the second straight year that Asashoryu has gone undefeated in the New Year tourney. Asashoryu won five of six tournaments last year and looks poised for another impressive run this season. He is the lone yokozuna currently competing in sumo.
In other major bouts, Mongolian Hakuho, who won the tournament’s Outstanding Technique Award, made short work of fan favorite Takamisakari to improve to 11-4.
With his parents looking on from the upper deck at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the 19-year-old komusubi came bursting out of the blocks and got a hand on the neck of Takamisakari (6-9) before thrusting the No. 5 maegashira over the straw ridge.
Sekiwake Tochiazuma further solidified his ozeki promotion chances when he slapped down fellow sekiwake Miyabiyama to improve to 11-4. Miyabiyama, who attempted to force Tochiazuma out with a series of arm thrusts, fell to 9-6.
Elsewhere, sekiwake Wakanosato, who came into the 15-day tournament looking for promotion to ozeki, finished with a disappointing 6-9 record after being forced out by Mongolian Kyokutenho.
Lihu‘e Pop Warner seeks coaches
The Lihu‘e Pop Warner Association is now accepting applications for Tackle and Cheer Coaches for the upcoming 2005 Season. Anyone interested in submitting an application can contact Mel Rapozo at 245-3539. Application Deadline is Friday, February 11.
Hanapepe youth baseball registration
HYBA will having Mustang, Bronco, and Pony Registration on Monday, January 31 and Tuesday February 1 at 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m at the Hanapepe Recreation Center Patio. Please bring 3 copies of your child’s Birth Certificate and Medical Card. For those with questions. call Clint Owen: 651-2932, Serena Soto: 482-1252 or Belinda Tacata: 651-2397.
Koloa Canoe Club recruitment
KOCC is recruiting new members — you don’t need to be experienced at paddling or even own your own paddle. Strength and a proficiency in the ocean are a plus, but if you don’t have that now, and you train with us, you’ll develop it!
Six-man outrigger canoe practice will begin Jan. 25. The paddling season runs through Sept. and membership cost is $100 for the entire year. Practices run every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. Men and women practice at the same time. For more information, call Fran at 332-5262 or 635-0165.
