ISLE FILE
Failed drug test forces Hawai'i fighter off card
Advertiser Staff
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Hawai'i's Kimo Leopoldo will not be allowed to participate in today's "King of the Streets" mixed martial arts event in Los Angeles because he failed a pre-fight drug test.
Leopoldo tested positive for an unrevealed banned substance. The test was administered by the California State Athletic Commission.
Leopoldo was supposed to fight Holland's Bas Rutten in a semi-main event of the card, which is being run by the World Fighting Alliance organization.
WFA chief executive officer Jeremy Lappen said in a statement that Leopoldo's disqualification is: "A reminder that the WFA and mixed martial arts is a professional sport, governed by the same rules as other major sports leagues."
It is the second time that Leopoldo has tested positive for a banned substance. In 2004, he tested positive for an anabolic steroid, and was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Two other fighters with Hawai'i ties are scheduled to appear on the card.
Jason "Mayhem" Miller, who is originally from Atlanta but now trains in Honolulu, will take on California's Lodune Sincaid.
Harris Sarmiento, who trains at the 808 Fight Factory in Waipahu, will face Rob McCullough of California.
The card will be televised in Hawai'i through Oceanic digitial pay-per-view (channel 701) for $34.95. Preliminaries start at 4 p.m.
BASEBALL
MURAKAMI, YONAMINE, KOIKE TO BE HONORED
Local baseball legends Masao Koike, Les Murakami and Wally Yonamine will be honored at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i's Celebration of Leadership and Achievement dinner Sept. 30 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa ballroom, officials.
Koike was an organizer of AJA senior and junior baseball leagues and a softball league on O'ahu.
Murakami, who brought University of Hawai'i baseball into the all-college scheduling era, won 1,079 games in a 30-year career. He took the Rainbows to the College World Series championship game in 1980.
Yonamine, who played professional in both football and baseball, is in Japan's Baseball Hall of Fame. He was player, coach and manager in Japan for more than 30 years.
Occidental Underwriters Ltd. will be recognized as the corporate honoree.
For details, call 945-7633 or e-mail: info@jcch.com.
SURFING
SULLIVAN REACHES FOURTH ROUND IN SOUTH AFRICA
Pancho Sullivan of O'ahu's North Shore advanced to the fourth round of the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay yesterday.
The third round was completed in 1- to 2-foot waves at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
Sullivan defeated Brazil's Paulo Moura, 11.5-10.67.
"We all have to deal with the same conditions," Sullivan said. "Obviously everyone would be happy if it was eight foot and pumping, but I just try and remain positive and just get my waves and hope to live to fight another day."
Sullivan, who is the only Hawai'i surfer remaining in the contest, is scheduled to face Australian Taj Burrow in the fourth round.
SOFTBALL
HPU SCHEDULES CLINICS FOR AUGUST, SEPTEMBER
Hawai'i Pacific will hold its annual softball clinics for youths 14 to 18 at Sea Warrior Field on the Hawai'i Loa Campus.
The first clinic (three Sundays) will be on Aug. 13, 20 and 27. The second session is Sept. 3, 10 and 17. The clinics, conducted by HPU coach Howard Okita, players and staff, are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants are required to bring their own shoes and glove.
For details, e-mail Okita at hokita@hpu.edu.
Space is limited to 25 for each clinic.
