ATHENS 2004
Hapa Stuns Decathlon World Champ
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bryan Clay had three personal bests last week to upset reigning world champion Tom Pappas at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials on July 17.
Clay grew up in Kaneohe, Hawai‘i, and graduated from Castle High School in 1998. He is the first Hawaiian athlete to qualify for the Olympic decathlon and the first from the state to qualify for the U.S. Olympic track and field team since Punahou graduate Henry Marsh in 1988.
Clay draped himself in a Hawaiian flag to celebrate his triumph in his first decathlon of the season. His score was third best in the world this year.
“I grew up in Hawai‘i. I’m half-Japanese, half-African American,” Clay said. “My dad lives in Florida, my mom lives in Hawai‘i. I went to Azusa Pacific — a small Christian school — so my faith and my walk with God are very important to me. I just try to keep my priorities in check, and when I’ve got that stuff in check, the athletic stuff just comes around. So that’s kind of me in a nutshell.”
AMATEUR GOLF
Wie Plays for Free in France
EVIAN, France — French media just can’t seem to get enough of 14-year-old Hawaiian sensation Michelle Wie, who shot a 69 and tied 33rd at 287 in the $2.5 million Evian Masters.
“I’ve had a busy summer,” Wie said. “It’s great to be in Europe. I’m having a fun time …. It’s more relaxed here than in the States.”
Relaxed or not, she doesn’t lose sight of her goals. While the $375,000 winner’s check is not for amateurs, Wie is looking for the title-win glory.
“Every week I look to win. I try and shoot the lowest I can and go for birdie on every hole,” said Wie, whose fourth-place finish at this year’s Kraft Nabisco Championship was her best on the LPGA Tour.
Wie will have her father, B.J., on her bag this week. She also confirmed she would not play the British Open. As an amateur, Wie has already planned her permitted six sponsor invitations.