The Sports Leigh-Out Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

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.

More than just competition: CNMI off to Taiwan for debut in World Indigenous Games

The CNMI is set to make its historic debut at the 2025 World Indigenous Traditional Games in Taiwan from Dec. 6-16, and they’re showing up not just to compete, but to represent their island culture and exchange indigenous traditions.

The event is more than just competition–it’s a weaving together of indigenous cultures–and the CNMI team made up of people of indigenous descent will be sharing pieces of the Marianas through traditional games, dance, and music.

The games are hosted and funded by Taiwan, with 11 countries and hundreds of athletes partaking in competition and cultural exchange.

For the traditional sports and games portion of the event, the CNMI is fielding a young team–most of whom have competed in the recent Palau Pacific Mini Games–Derek Rangamar, Lia Rangamar, Antonette Labausa, Kaya Rasa, Erik Basa, Miles Borja, Maria Quitugua, Mayiah Duenas, Jenisha Dubrall, Lincoln Manibusan, and Gregory Iginoef are taking part in some of the games including traditional archery, log sawing, traditional wrestling, net casting, traditional canoe race, traditional road racing, and freediving sprint.

Rasa, three-time gold medalist weightlifter in the 2024 Micronesian Games, said, “I’m feeling super excited. I’m super stoked to head down there and represent the CNMI.” She is competing in archery, free diving sprint, and road racing with the team that has been training since June. “We’ve been very consistent, we’ve all been working really hard, so we’re looking forward to going down there and giving it all we got.”

The CNMI is also sending a group of dancers for the traditional music and dance portion of the event. They are composed of Glenn Ruben, Gregory Iginoef, Benusto Lisua, Tyler Fitial, Brian Ruben, Jack Ruben, Michael Olaitiman Jr., Ian Kaniki, Luis Tilipao (band), Frankie Limes (band), and Vincent Limes (band).

Felix Nogis, executive assistant for Carolinian Affairs and the CNMI’s official delegate to the Austronesian Forum in Taiwan, said the planning for this debut directly involved the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios. With only 10 minutes allotted for the entertainment portion, the group chose to lead with the Carolinian stick dance and mass.

As for the sports side, Rep. Elias Rangamar organized the training and selection of the athletes. He looked into getting some representation from Rota and Tinian as well, but a lot of people pulled out due to different reasons. However, he’s confident in the young team he assembled—all of whom are of indigenous descent and have represented the CNMI in regional games such as the Micro Games, Mini Games, and Pacific Games.

“Swim in the Marianas” hosts 48 from China

Forty-eight swimmers from China’s Guangzhou Tianhe District Swimming Association were greeted by Saipan’s sunshine and crystal blue beaches as they took to the waters off Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan for the first-ever “Swim in the Marianas” event hosted by the Marianas Visitors Authority on Tuesday.

Over the course of their debut five-day stay, the group not only enjoyed the 3-km swim, but also visited Mañagaha, the Grotto, went on tours, and joined other activities the island had to offer.

In an interview, MVA’s managing director Jamika Taijeron said this swim event is part of the MVA’s continued push to grow sports tourism in the CNMI, and they hope it will be the first of many as they want to attract more of these athletes to the islands since the Marianas’ natural beauty is one of their biggest strengths. She explained that the partnership began during an earlier visit to China, where they met the swimming association—which has roughly 40,000 members across its groups.

She added that they also spent time talking to the swimmers about ocean care, including the types of marine animals they might see and how to protect them while swimming.

NMI U15 Baseball Team sweeps Guam, settles for 2nd in WBSC Qualifier

The NMI U15 National Baseball Team had one goal in mind during the 2025 U15 Men’s Baseball WBSC Oceania Qualifier: get a spot in the 2026 World Cup in Italy. Australia got the ticket instead but CNMI delivered a strong showing from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1—finishing second in the three-team field and sweeping all three of their games against rival Guam at the Dededo Sports Complex.

The boys in blue closed out the tournament with a 3-3 record, with all three losses coming at the hands of powerhouse Australia who went through the tourney undefeated. Still, the NMI held their ground, put up solid offensive numbers, and kept pushing through long, back-to-back game days.

Offensively, the CNMI lineup was on fire, hitting .345 as a team. One of the team captains, Kayden Lizama, led the entire tournament with a scorchingly high .600 batting average and a .636 on-base percentage. Defensively, it was NMI’s weak point, but despite errors and miscues, they stayed locked in and kept competing.

Day 1 set the tone for the roller-coaster of a weekend. The NMI dropped their opener to Australia, 0-15, but bounced back just hours later with a commanding 24-5 win over Guam. They handled Guam again in their next matchup, 22-15, before falling to Australia a second time, 2-17. The boys then finished their sweep of Guam—routing them 18-2 in their final meeting—but the Aussies once again proved too much in the tournament finale, handing the NMI a 3-25 loss.

Trench Tech bags 13 medals in Japan

The Trench Tech Purebred Saipan team that competed in the East Open Kids and Masters JiuJitsu Championships in Japan held from Nov. 28-30.

Frank “The Crank” Camacho returned to the mat and dominated his divisions, earning two golds and a bronze, showcasing his skill and determination.

Jessica Ma had an outstanding performance, bringing home three bronze medals and one silver, making her one of the standout competitors of the tournament. Drey Aldan, Mari Alvarez, James Choi, and Gabriel Mitchell each earned bronze medals for their efforts, while Sophi Choi and Vince Aguon claimed silver medals. Vince’s journey was especially notable, as he lost his first match by a referee’s decision but fought through to secure silver. Other competitors faced tough early matches, with Prof. Clinton Dela Cruz losing his opening bout by four points and Paulo Sangalang narrowly missing victory, falling by just two points in his first match.

The sponsors included IT&E, Monster Energy, Century Hotel, Hafa Adai Rental Car, Marianas Bingo, Blades by Crank, DC Pro Rentals, TSL Sports Complex, the Naputi family, Haiden Gifford, Evert Van Der Maas, 4Ever CNMI, and James Choi. Special thanks are also extended to the MOF competitors, as well as the athletes’ families and friends.

Smash Cancer Pickleball Fundraiser raises $6,192.51

Team Boogie “Stayin’ Alive” hosted the Smash Cancer “Pickleball Fundraiser” Paddle for the Battle on Nov. 7-9, Nov. 14-16, and Nov. 20-23 at the American Memorial Park Tennis Courts and raised $6,192.51.

All proceeds will be given to the Commonwealth Cancer Association to help those affected by cancer. The tourney was more than just a fundraiser–it was a celebration of strength through community—achance for the community to come together, serve hope, smash out barriers, and rally for survivors and those who are fighting the Battle.

The tourney saw 136 participants from groups such as the Saipan Pickleball Association, the 670 Saipan Pickleball community, and players from Guam and Tinian.

Results of the tourney are as follows: the 2.0 Women’s Doubles division saw Jenisha Jo and Mariko Sablan take the top spot, followed by Mary Jane Maliwanag and Nina Manzon in second, and Pat Garcia Salas and Jimaela Ham rounding out the podium in third. In the 2.5 Women’s Doubles category, Mita Pelicano and Maria Cely Monteclaro claimed first place, with Gina Duenas and Lorielyn Monica finishing second, and Ernesta Yiftheng and Barbara securing third.

In the 2.0 Mixed Doubles, Leila Hicking and Micheal Villagomez emerged victorious, while Mar Castro and Jomar Castro finished second, and Alisa Anna Pangelinan and Ray Yumul took third. The 2.5 Mixed Doubles champions were Gina Duenas and Robert Billy, followed by Lorielyn Monica Lacay and Retim Billy in second, and Brandon Elloway and Jannise Schimpf-Elloway in third.

Moving up in skill level, the 3.0 Women’s Doubles title went to Sofia Gomez and Eliane Pagaduan. Mary Ma and Cathleen Moore-Linn from Guam took second place, and Jenifer Dela Cruz with Lovely Balanay from Tinian finished third. The 3.5 Women’s Doubles champions were Rica Sacramento and Leah Omampo, while Mia Ma and Monique Guo placed second, and Cleo Nening with Somia Quan took third.

In the 3.0 Mixed Doubles division, Sean Mateo and Eliane Pagaduan claimed first, followed by Ej Adelbai and Lexie Acosta in second, and Jan Matthew Socorro with Monique Guo in third. The 3.5 Mixed Doubles champions were Leah Omampo and Wendell Delos Santos, with Cyanna Mateo and Vince Tudela placing second, and Mia Ma and Daniel Josh Gonzalez finishing third.

The 3.0–3.5 Women’s Singles saw Annie Zhao from Guam take first place, followed closely by Jane Quitano also from Guam, with Sofia Gomez finishing third. On the men’s side, Kianu Camacho topped the 3.0 Men’s Singles, Sean Mateo came in second, and Elwin Quitano from Guam took third. The 3.0 Men’s Doubles winners were Coby Santos and Tony Kim, with Vince Cabrera and Christopher Aninzo in second, and Crispulo J. Hilario with Marco Antonio “Mcoi” Aguda in third. In the 3.5 Men’s Singles, Daniel Josh Gonzalez claimed first, Yu Jian Chun second, and Paul Flores third. The 3.5 Men’s Doubles champions were Kyle Anthony Mateo and Paul Flores, followed by Jim Tuttle with Vince Tudela in second, and Kianu Camacho with Sean Mateo in third.

At the 4.0 level, the Women’s Doubles title went to Annie Zhao and Jane Quitano from Guam, with Joan Henzon and Elisha Chelsea Henzon finishing second. The 4.0 Mixed Doubles winners were Joe Quitugua and Annie Zhao, followed by Hui Luo and Miki Zhao in second, and Leah Omampo with Levi Omampo in third. In the Women’s Singles, Mihoko Susuki claimed first, Elisha Chelsea Henzon took second, and Jane Quitano from Guam placed third. Meanwhile, the 4.5 Mixed Doubles champions were Eric Abragan with Mihoko Susuki, Elisha Chelsea Henzon with Mike Manalang came second, and Joan Henzon with Richard Asuncion finished third.

The 4.0 Men’s Doubles champions were Hui Luo and Adi Xu, followed by Joe Quitugua and Jorge Orlando in second, and Jin Benjamin with Charlie Cheng in third. In the 4.0–4.5 Men’s Singles, Richard Asuncion took first place, Vince Tudela finished second, and John Austin came in third. Finally, the 4.5 Men’s Doubles winners were Ernie Henzon and Richard Asuncion, followed by Vince Tudela with Eric Abragan in second, and Ronnie “Dong” Lalbayo with Hector Benitez taking third.

MCS, TMS notch wins in girls v-ball

Last year’s top two teams—Mount Carmel School and Tanapag Middle School—shone brightly under the dimly lit and swelteringly hot Koblerville Gym in the continuation of the PSS-NMIVA Girls Middle School Volleyball League on Thursday.

The Lady Knights made it work against Grace Christian Academy in three sets, 21-18, 21-15, 15-10, while the Lady Tatagas slipped past Chacha Oceanview Middle School, 21-11, 22-20. Other results are not available at press time.

For now until further notice, the girls middle school volleyball season and the co-ed elementary school basketball season will be temporarily played at the Kobler Gym while the original venue at the Marianas High School Gymnasium is under renovation.