The Sports Leigh-Out Aug 16-22

Hafa Adai and Tirow sports fans, this is Leigh Gases with this week’s Sports Leigh-Out brought to you by Joeten Motors!

Let’s take a closer look at what our athletes have been up to in off-island competitions and on their home turf—whether it’s on the pitch, mat, courts, fields, track, pools, or the beautiful ocean.

Home of the Braves: Sr. and Jr. division teams rally for Little League titles

It was indeed the home of the Braves as both their senior and junior league teams rallied to clinch the championships of the 2025 Saipan Little League Baseball on Saturday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

After so many rain delays, the finals wrapped up just before the end of summer, as the Braves ended it on a high note with not one—but two championships.

The Braves Sr. team hit the field first on a scorching hot morning—fitting for the intensity of their matchup against the Comets—and despite a hot start by the Comets, the Braves came back and won in a close matchup, 7-6.

Both teams were clearly eager to play, especially after their game the weekend before was rained out. Their championship had already been delayed due to off-island competitions in Guam and Korea, with both rosters packed with all-star players.

The Comets started things off early with four back-to-back runs in the first inning. Leadoff batter Joe Lizama led it off with a walk, then moved into scoring position from a passed ball and wild pitch. He then scored the first run, followed by another from Joel Cabrera who also got on base from a walk as the Braves’ pitching and defense continued to struggle.

The Senior League championship MVP was Maximus Taitano.

Third place went to Ol’Aces.

Right after, the Braves Jr. team took to the field against Ol’Aces. It was another come-from-behind win as they clinched the championship, 15-10.

While the Braves gave another stunning comeback performance, it was a heartbreaker for Ol’Aces who once held a huge 9-0 lead in the third inning. The Ol’Aces’ 9-run lead was thanks to an onslaught of runs—three each from the first to third inning. But, the Braves chipped away starting in the bottom of the third as Ol’Aces’ defense and pitching crumbled.

The Braves put up five in the third, then didn’t look back as they scored seven in the fourth to take the lead, 12-9.

Ol’Aces managed to score just one more run in the fourth, but by then, it was too late. The Braves were up 12-10 and tacked on three more runs, as the fight in Ol’Aces faded—right as the rain poured and closed out the game, 15-10.

The Junior division championship MVP was Kayden Lizama.

Third place were the Blue Jays.

Century Insurance International champs crowned

The badminton community is still buzzing after two nonstop weeks of international action at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. The final tournament—the Century Insurance Saipan International 2025—wrapped up on Saturday, Aug. 16 with upsets, explosive rallies, and fierce emotion as champions were crowned in shortened matches played in a 3x15 format, instead of the traditional 3x21.

Japanese players reached the finals once again, but this time came away with just three out of five titles. Top seed Tanya Hemanth of India took the women’s singles crown, defeating Japan’s Kanae Sakai in straight sets, 15-10, 15-8. In mixed doubles, South Korea’s An Yun Seong and Lee Yu Lim emerged victorious after a grueling battle against Japan’s Kenta Matsukawa and Riko Kiyose, winning 18-16, 15-12.

Japan’s Riki Takei followed with a strong performance in the men’s singles, toppling Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open champion Yudai Okimoto, 16-14, 15-4, who was noticeably fatigued by the end. In the women’s doubles finals, Japan’s Hinata Suzuki and Nao Yamakita avenged their previous runner-up finish, outlasting Nanako Hara and Riko Kiyose in three hard-fought sets, 15-13, 8-15, 15-11. Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles, Japan’s Naoya Kawashima and Akira Koga defeated compatriots Haruki Kawabe and Kenta Matsukawa, 15-13, 15-12.

Sikkel, Guerrero, Ma flies out to Romania for Jr. World Champs

Moshe Sikkel, Maria Guerrero, and Justin Ma are in Otopeni, Romania for the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships 2025 that will wrap up tomorrow.

Sikkel is swimming in the 50m and 100m backstroke, and the 50m freestyle; Maria is swimming the 50m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke, and the 50m butterfly; and Ma is swimming the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle, and the 50m butterfly.

Red Horse wins OYAA softball champs in Tinian

Tinian’s 2025 OYAA Co-Ed Softball League championships went to Red Horse on Sunday. Second place went to Kaks, third place was Soft Serve, and fourth place was Fan Gotte’.

In a social media post by the Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan, it stated, “We are grateful to everyone who came out to cheer on the players and show support. It is the community spirit that makes events like this so special! We also extend our gratitude to all the organizers, coaches, and volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes to make this softball season and championship possible. Your efforts truly bring our community together.

During the award ceremony, the 513th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron was also presented an Operation Youth & Adults Athletics (OYAA) Plaque of Appreciation, in recognition of their outstanding support in our community and their incredible contributions to our island.”

NMI U20 women’s soccer team honored after historic AFC victory

The NMI U20 women’s national soccer team was honored at a special lunch celebration on Friday, Aug. 15 at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, following a groundbreaking performance that etched their names into the history books with NMI’s first-ever win in an AFC qualifier on Sunday, Aug. 10.

The team closed out the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in historic fashion, defeating Bahrain, 3-0, in a dominant final match. Star striker Kaithlyn Chavez led the charge with two goals and an assist, setting up Summer Manahane for the third.

The win came after a tough start to the tournament—losses to Uzbekistan, 0-8, and Jordan, 1-6, but the team bounced back with resilience, growth, and a history-making performance they’ll never forget.

The team, with Chavez and Manahane, consists of Mia Abuan, Abrey White, Iris Rasa, Joselyn Atalig, Orica George, Ye Lynn Ha, Cassidee Flores, Audrey Castro, Deseha Mendiola, Julie Chavez, Rizza Relucio, Sophia Quintos, Stacy Arriola, Alyssa Borlongan, Fiona Regan, Cassie Regan, Tamia Kileleman-Hix, and Megan Elayda.

They were joined by Head of Delegation Luam Khen Koo; head coach Chi Ming Tang; assistant coaches Shuk Fan Wong, Mae Ito, and Ronnel Ocanada; team manager Khristelle Itaas; assistant team manager Yu Hung Lee; and team doctor Robert Zarajczyk.

NMI to debut in U23 AFC tourney

A sendoff ceremony for the NMI U23 Men’s National Soccer Team—making their debut in the AFC U23 division as they compete in the 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Xi’an, China—was held on Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The team is made up of a young group of players who will be going up against tough, experienced opponents in Group D. While most nations are fielding rosters stacked with 22-year-olds, NMI’s squad features mostly teens—the youngest just 16—with only one player at 22.

They’ll kick things off against Australia on Wednesday, Sept. 3, take on host nation China on Saturday, Sept. 6, and wrap up the tournament against Timor-Leste on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

This marks NMI’s first time competing in the U23 age group in the AFC. The milestone follows the historic first-ever recorded win for the NMI U20 Women’s National Team, who beat Bahrain on August 10.

But before the action starts in China, the team will head to Japan for a week-long training camp.

670 Magas Babes, Tokahao reach BASA finals

The 2025 Budweiser Belau Amateur Softball Association women’s and masters league is coming to a close as the finals stage has been set after Wednesday’s semis games at the Capital Hill Softball Field.

The 670 Magas Babes rallied and won against Lady Sufa, 13-9, and will face off against Batties who pummeled Dirty Diamonds, 12-2. Asahi beat Sufa, 29-12, and will go up against Tokahao, 30-27, who also rallied against Man Amigos.

The championships are set for tomorrow, Sunday at the Dandan Softball Field from 10:15am-3:45pm.

Zoning Board approves Oleai Sports Complex Development Center plans

Conditional Use Application No. 2025-2812 for the Oleai Sports Complex Development Center—featuring a new swimming pool, tennis courts, bullpen and batting cage, and a concession stand—proposed by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, was unanimously approved by the Commonwealth Zoning Board during a regular meeting at its Marianas Business Plaza office on Thursday, Aug. 14.

During the public hearing, the plan was presented, and members of the public—including stakeholders in the sporting community, athletes, and their families—expressed gratitude, pleas, and support for the addition of the swimming pool and tennis courts before the board’s vote.

The project includes the construction of an olympic size swimming pool with associated facilities, the construction of a storage facility, and the rehabilitation and renovation of the baseball stadium and associated facilities.

The CNMI Office of Planning and Development outlined various benefits to the community, including youth access for sports, recreation, and after school programs, a regional sports hub, healthy lifestyles, and shared community pride.