Kapolei’s Olympic Wrestler Needs $$ For London
Many of us use the expression, “go for the gold” as a figure of speech, but that is exactly what Clarissa Chun of Kapolei will do this summer.
For her perseverance as a freestyle wrestler and for earning a coveted spot on Team USA to represent not just Hawaii but also our nation, I would like to introduce her to you as a “second city spotlight.”
I was honored to recognize Clarissa on behalf of the Hawaii State House of Representatives for her dedication and accomplishments as an Olympic freestyle wrestler at her fundraiser this past weekend. Clarissa currently lives in Kapolei and is a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School, where she was crowned the Hawaii Women’s Wresting State Champion in 1998-1999. She has been a member of Team USA since 2000, and this will be her second trip to the Olympic Games.
The June 2 benefit at Pearl Ultra Lounge was my first opportunity to meet one of our homegrown Olympians. Friends, family and other well-wishers gathered in an effort to raise money for Clarissa, along with Stephany Lee of Moanalua. Both women are on Team USA. It is remarkable that out of the four female wrestlers representing Team USA, two are from Hawaii. While other nations fully finance the travel costs of their own Olympians, athletes of Team USA are expected to pay for the journey on their own. Not only do Clarissa and Stephany have full-time training to attend to, but in their spare time, they also need to raise travel money.
As the 2012 London Olympics begin in July, let us cheer on and support Team USA and our local champions, Clarissa Chun and Stephany Lee, as they go for the gold.
For more information on how you might support Clarissa or Stephany’s journey to the UK, please contact Keith Matsumoto at gowrestlekeith@gmail.com.
Contact state Rep. Sharon Har, D-40th District (Makakilo, Kapolei) at 586-8500.
