A pair of Kaua‘i products who are both part of the United States Armed Forces ended up joining forces for what turned out to be a very successful few days of competition in San Diego, Calif. During the Veteran’s Day
A pair of Kaua‘i products who are both part of the United States Armed Forces ended up joining forces for what turned out to be a very successful few days of competition in San Diego, Calif.
During the Veteran’s Day weekend, US Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Keith Kaui and Hawai‘i Air National Guard Staff Sergeant Philip Eliana Jr. successfully competed in an intensive three-day All-Military National Racquetball Championships.
The event, held Nov. 12-14, brought together the best from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to vie for national titles in separate skill level, age group and team-specific categories.
Kaui, who is currently stationed at Naval Base San Diego, took home a gold medal in the Men’s Singles “Elite-Level” division.
Eliana, who is a traditional guardsman assigned to the 293rd Combat Communications Squadron at PMRF Barking Sands, won a silver medal in the Men’s Singles 50+ age division.
Though they had never played together prior to the championship event, the duo teamed up as a last-minute entry and dominated the Men’s “Elite-Level” Doubles division, each adding a gold medal to their haul.
“It’s always great to do well at any national championship,” Eliana said. “But having an opportunity to partner up with another top-notch military player who is also from Kaua‘i and win a national title for the first time at an event this big was just incredible.”
