Father and son triumph in ‘Timmy Would Go’

Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel smiles as he leads the pack during the 500m stand-up paddling race in last Saturday’s Inaugural “Timmy Would Go” Memorial Paddle Classic held at the beachfront of Sandy Beach Homes in Chalan Kanoa. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Father and son Ketson “Jack” and Koen Kabiriel led winners in the stand-up paddling competition in last Saturday’s Inaugural “Timmy Would Go” Memorial Paddle Classic held at the beachfront of Sandy Beach Homes in Chalan Kanoa.

The older Kabiriel won the men’s 30 to 49 age group division’s 250m and 500m races. In the 250m event, he was the top finisher in both the qualifying heat and in the finals (times were not listed in the results provided by organizers). Vince Tudela and Ponce Rasa joined Jack in the Top 3 in the 250m event. In the 500m race, Rasa slid to third, as Robin Sapong grabbed the runner-up finish behind Jack. Ten other paddlers competed in the two races for the 30 to 49 age category.

In the boys 8 to 12’s 250m event, Jack’s son Koen won against Tyler Andrew and Miku Torres, while Ponce’s daughter ruled the girls 8 to 12, beating AC and Donna Kapileo in the finals. Eleven raced in the youngest age group contest.

In the 13 to 15 division, Misaki Kitami and Deanna Kapileo took the boys and girls top honors. Kitami defeated Vincent Tudela Jr. and Steven Goodwin in the finals, while Deanna beat Newlyn Jeter.

In the men’s 16 to 29, Joshua Andrew, Javin Okawa and Carte Calma made it to the podium, placing ahead of 9 others, while Zia Buniag was ranked first in the women’s division, downing Thia Seman.

Rounding out the winners list in the 250m race were Harumi Suzuki, Tom Torres, and Hirumi Matagolai. Matagolai edged Yuko Togawa in the women’s masters, while Tom prevailed in the men’s masters, and Suzuki finished ahead of Soledad Tenorio in the women’s 30 to 44 age group.

In the 500m race, Kitami made it two in a row against Vince Tudela Jr. and Goodwin in the boys 13 to 15, while Deanna also earned her second victory against Jeter.

Joshua Andrew, Buniag, Suzuki, Torres, and Matagolai duplicated Kitami and Deanna’s fetes after ruling their respective divisions in the 500m race. Andrew won against the same foes in the men’s 16 to 29 division with Calma this time getting the runner-up honors and bringing Okawa down to third. Buniag also defeated Seman in the women’s division, while Suzuki won her showdown, too against Tenorio in the women’s 30 to 44 age group. Tom Torres and Matagolai were crowned champions in the masters division.

Meanwhile, the “Timmy Would Go” competition was made possible through the support of diamond sponsor Win Way Construction Company Saipan and platinum sponsors Best Sunshine International, Joeten, Triple J, Pacific Trading, Co., Bank of Guam, and TSL Foundation and a host of companies and individuals.