When Clarissa Kyoko Mei Ling Chun won the bronze medal in Olympic wrestling Wednesday, there was a jubilant spread of the word on Kaua‘i. Chun, wrestling in the 48-kg division of women’s freestyle wresting, opened her qualifying round by defeating
When Clarissa Kyoko Mei Ling Chun won the bronze medal in Olympic wrestling Wednesday, there was a jubilant spread of the word on Kaua‘i.
Chun, wrestling in the 48-kg division of women’s freestyle wresting, opened her qualifying round by defeating Zhao Shasha of China, 5-0, 1-0 on points but was defeated by Mariya Stadnyk of Azerbaijan, 2-0, 3-0 on points in the Round of 16, states an Associated Press story.
But the girl who lists her home as Kapolei, O‘ahu, rebounded in the repechage, defeating Iwona Nina Matkowska of Poland, 0-1, 4-0 on pinfall, which moved her to the bronze medal match.
During the bout for the bronze medal, Chun defeated Irini Merleni of the Ukraine, 1-0, 3-0 on points for the medal.
“We were glued to the television this morning watching Clarissa,” said David Iha of Lihu‘e in an email. “She has Kaua‘i roots. Her grandfather was Harry Higashi of Hanama‘ulu. He is also my wife Shirley’s and Yukilani (DeSilva)’s uncle.”
During the women’s freestyle in the 48-kg division, Hitomi Obara finished on top of the category by rallying to beat Stadnyk, the wrestler who handed Chun defeat earlier in the day, 0-4, 1-0, 2-0. This was Obara’s first gold medal.
Carol Huynh of Canada and Chun won bronze, Chun earning the United States its first wrestling medal of the London Games, states an AP story.
Luke Meredith, the AP sports writer, said Chun was dominant in taking down China’s Shasha in her match. But she drew Stadnyk in the Round of 16 — an unlucky draw considering Chun won the world championship just four years ago and was fifth in Beijing. Chun fell, 2-0, 3-0 on points.
After preservering through the repechage, Chun wrestled her way back into a bronze medal matchup with Merleni, who beat Chun for bronze in the same scenario in 2008, states the AP story.
Chun scored late to take the first period before sealing the win with three points in the second frame.
“It was like redemption time,” Chun said in the AP story. “I learned from Beijing. … I just stayed, collected and excited for the opportunity.”
Chun’s grandfather, Harry Higashi of Lihu‘e died Sept. 13, 2010, at age 79 at his home, states a TGI obituary submitted by Iha.
Born on June 14, 1931, on Kaua‘i, he worked at Avis Rent A Car and was a retired supervisor from Lihu‘e Plantation. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sakichi and Kiku Higashi, son Boyd Higashi, grandson Lambert “Kela” Alapa‘i and brother Masayuki Higashi, Shirley’s father.
Harry Higashi is survived by his wife Patricia “Pat” Higashi of Honolulu, sons Harry Higashi Jr. of Hanama‘ulu and Buddy Higashi of Lihu‘e, daughters Lynn Lee of Honolulu, Gail (Bryan) Chun of Honolulu, Karen (Lambert) Alapa‘i of Anahola and Amanda Higashi of Honolulu, the obituary states.
His brothers include Yukio (Olinda) Higashi, David Higashi and Kenji (Misa) Higashi. His sisters are Edith Higashi and Peggy (Leslie) Yaka.
He had seven grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, the obituary states.
“The Alapa‘i girl told me at The Fish Express,” said Yukie DeSilva of TGI. “I only met her once, at my uncle’s funeral, but what a great feeling to know we have an Olympian in the family.”
•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
