ISLE FILE
Perkins clinches U.S. pro longboard title
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's Bonga Perkins may have lost a contest championship this past weekend, but he still emerged as a national champion.
Associated Press
Perkins was eliminated in the early rounds of the Converse California Classic on Saturday, but no competitor could overtake him yesterday atop the overall standings of the United States Professional Longboard Surfing Championships.
Makaha's Desire DeSoto won the women's division of the Converse California Classic longboard surfing contest yesterday at Malibu, Calif. Hawai'i's Bonga Perkins also clinched the overall U.S. professional longboard title.
The California Classic was the final stop of the tour, which is considered the U.S. championship tour.
Josh Baxter of California won the men's division of the contest. No Hawai'i surfers made the final of the men's division.
Makaha's Desire DeSoto won the women's division of the contest and received $4,000. Janna Irons of Kaua'i placed second and received $2,000. Julie Whitegon of California was crowned the women's tour champion.
MARTIAL ARTS
• Vitale to get UFC shot: Falaniko Vitale scored an impressive first-round victory over Utah's Justin Ellison before about 3,000 fans at the Blaisdell Arena in Saturday night's Super Brawl XXXI mixed martial arts event.
After the win, he got something more impressive — an invitation to the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in November.
Vitale, a former University of Hawai'i football standout, took care of Ellison quickly. About three minutes into the five-minute first round, Vitale jumped on a prone Ellison and unleashed a series of unanswered punches to the head. Ellison eventually submitted with 1 minute, 25 seconds remaining in the round.
Vitale, who resides in Kane'ohe, is 13-2, Ellison 16-5. Both fighters weighed in at 185 pounds.
Vitale was thrust into the main event on Friday after headliner Egan Inoue withdrew from the event due to an injury.
Vitale is scheduled to face former Olympic wrestler Matt Lindland in the Nov. 21 UFC, which will probably be staged in Las Vegas. The UFC is generally regarded as the top level of mixed martial arts.
In other bouts:
135: Harvey Nakamura (1-0) defeated Edrick Pajarros (0-1) by choke-out submission at 2:19 into the third round. 185: Jay Martinez (4-1) defeated Kaipo Kalama (2-2-1) by unanimous decision. Heavyweight: Ray Seraille (2-3) defeated Travis Fulton (127-33-8) by unanimous decision. 170: Tiki Ghosen (6-3) defeated Ronald Jhun (18-11-2) by split decision. 185: Jason Miller (11-3) defeated Shawn Taylor (1-2-1) by choke-out submission. 145: David Yeung (2-2-1) and Eddie Yagin (6-2-1) fought to a draw. 160: Joe Jordan (6-3) defeated Kolo Koka (5-4) by disqualification at 4:28 into the third round.
— Dayton Morinaga
MARATHON
• Maui winners: Kalid Abdalah of Somalia and Akiko Sekiya of Japan repeated as champions of the Maui Marathon from Kahului to Ka'anapali yesterday.
Abdalah finished the 26.2-mile course in 2 hours, 21 minutes. James Sheremeta of LaJolla, Calif., was second in 2:38.03.
Sekiya was the first female finisher in 2:58:37. Angie Miyashiro of Hilo was second in 3:15.50.
GOLF
• Chun wins: Mark Chun shot a 3-over 75 yesterday to finish at even-par 216 and defeat Joe Phengsavath (70) by one stroke in the Hickam Invitational at the Malama Bay Golf Course.
Gregg Omori (72) and Shannon Sibayan (73) were tied at 218.
