Local Sports

Maui’s Tanaka, Kauhaahaa win weightlifting national titles

Mauians Trevor Tanaka and Hanale Kauhaahaa won national titles in the 2020 American Youth National Championships, an Olympic-style weightlifting competition held virtually Dec. 3-5.

Both lifters represent Hawaii Performance Athletics, which is owned and operated by two-time U.S. Olympian Vernon Patao and coached by Lawrence Kauhaahaa.

Hanale Kauhaahaa captured the national title in the 14-15 age group, 55-kilogram weight class. Tanaka won the national crown in the 16-17 age group at 49 kg.

Other HPA competitors in the competition included: Tai Ferrer (11-under, 55 kg) and Kuolaikahulukupuna Watson (14-15, 55 kg), who each finished fourth in their divisions; Lia Vanderpoel (16-17, 76 kg) finished fifth; Robert Young (14-15, 67 kg) finished sixth; Ryan Padron (16-17, 67 kg) was 13th; and Kaylee Yagi (13-under, 55 kg) was 16th.

HPA competitor Tiffani Lee (49 kg) finished 13th in her division in the 2020 Senior National Championships, also held virtually, Dec. 3-6.

Anyone interested in the HPA program can email hiperformanceathletics.com or call 281-3664.