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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 26, 2008

Chun, Lee to represent U.S. at World wrestling

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ATHLETES

Achievements by athletes in Hawai'i. Photo/story submissions to totalrec@HonoluluAdvertiser.com

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Hawai'i's Clarissa Chun and Stephany Lee will represent the United States at the World Championships in women's freestyle wrestling, Oct. 11 to 13 in Tokyo.

Chun, a Roosevelt High alum, and Lee, a Moanalua alum, were among seven who qualified by winning their weight divisions at the U.S. trials Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Chun, who finished fifth at the Beijing Olympics, defeated Alyssa Lampe, of Tomahawk, Wis., in the 48-kilogram (105.5-pound) final Saturday.

"I want to be called a world champion." Chun said. "I want to add to my list of achievements. I can't wait to wrestle the best in the world, and this time come out with a win."

Lee defeated Iris Smith of Colorado Springs in the 72-kilogram (158.5-pound) final.

"It feels awesome to finally make the team," Lee said. "Against (Smith), I kept in my stance, and wouldn't let her get tieups to control me. I kept my head where it needed to be."

6 QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

Six Hawai'i female gymnasts have qualified for the national Talent Opportunity Program test, a national competition designed to find the nation's top young gymnasts, many of whom have gone on to compete in the Olympics.

The TOP competition is Oct. 3 to 5 and participants are vying to be among the top 20 gymnasts in each of three age levels: 9, 10 and 11. More than 2,500 tested for the program and 300 - 100 in each group - were chosen.

The Hawai'i qualifiers are Kiana Palin, 11, Salt Lake Elementary; Amanda LaPenes, 10, La'ie Elementary; Tawny Motoyama, 10, Moanalua Middle; Lauren Lauro, 9, Le Jardin Academy; Caitlyn Alejo, 9, Holy Family Catholic Academy; and Sarah Barron, 8, Waldorf School.

The girls train with the Hawaiian Island Twisters Gymnastic Team.