WAIMEA — Keoni Akita, Laurie Diego, Tucker Gomes and Sam Brun earned saddles as overall winners at the 2023 Kaua‘i Paniolo Showdown rodeo that wrapped up Saturday at Friendship Do’s Ranch Waimea Arena.
The rodeo was part of the eight-day Waimea Town Celebration, and started Thursday with competitors working through a variety of competitive events, including some fun activities like world’s best muley roping, and uniquely Hawai‘i paniolo roping events like the double mugging and po‘o wai u.
Results
Po‘o wai u: Kamoi Refamonte, Justin Teves, Russell Miranda;
Open roping: Chaz Rita/Ross Farias, Keoni Akita/Tucker Gomes, Keoni Akita/Chaz Rita, Keoni Akita/Randy Brun;
Keiki barrel racing (5-8 years): Cade Carveiro, Shayda Malina;
Keiki barrel racing (9-12 years): Paisley Kuhlmann, Carlee Dusenberry, Mateo Vegas;
Wahine barrel racing: Skye Schumacher, Taylor Langtad, Amber Kaonohi;
No. 4 roping: Dustin Cremer/Stetson Thronas; Laurie Diego/Jayden Dudoit-Tabilangan, Kristy Pimental/Wesley Langtad, Tucker Gomes/Austin Camara, Rayven Orsatelli/Stuart Wellington, Wailana Blackstad/Kahanu Blackstad;
Rescue race: Chaz Rita/Tucker Gomes, Keoni Akita/Hunter Akita, Sandra Akita/Ethan Kim;
Mix roping: Kristyn Vasconcelles/Austin Wellington; Kristyn Vasconcelles/Austin Wellington, Hunter Akita/Keoni Akita, Kiara Ruiz/Keoni Akita, Katelyn Perkins/Tucker Gomes;
Double mugging: Keoni Akita/Chaz Rita, Jayden Dudoit-Tabilangan/Austin Wellington, Tucker Gomes/Chaz Rita;
Century roping: Sam Brun/Tom Aiu; Sam Brun/Lance Fu, Sam Brun/Tom Aiu, Kekoa Viela/Tom Aiu;
Keiki breakaway roping: Mateo Vegas, Paisley Kuhlmann;
Wahine breakaway roping: Laurie Diego, Hallie Cristobal, Kristyn Vasconcelles;
No. 5.5 roping: Devin Lopes/Tucker Gomes; Devin Lopes/Tucker Gomes, Stetson Thronas/Tucker Gomes, Kyle Blackstad/Randy Brun, Hunter Akita/Sam Brun;
Ribbon roping: Kristy Pimental/Keoni Akita, Chaz Rita/Laurie Diego, Kiara Ruiz/Keoni Akita;
Rawhide race: Justin Teves/Kaenon Teves, Colten Manibog/Chaz Rita, Aleigha Palama/Austin Camara;
Overall cowboy: Keoni Akita (saddle), Chaz Rita (YETI cooler), Austin Wellington (spurs);
Overall cowgirl: Laurie Diego (saddle), Hunter Akita (YETI cooler), Hallie Cristobal (spurs);
Overall 18 and under: Tucker Gomes (saddle), Mateo Vegas (YETI cooler), Paisley Kuhlmann (spurs);
Overall makule (50 and over): Sam Brun (saddle), Stuart Wellington (YETI cooler), Tom Aiu (spurs).
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
