Saint Louis School junior Kekai Leong earned three medals in a pair of karate competitions last month in Las Vegas. (Courtesy Saint Louis School)
Hawaii Catholic Herald
A student from Saint Louis School in Honolulu proudly represented Hawaii and the United States in two karate championships last month in Las Vegas.
Kekai Leong, a junior, competed in the Junior International Cup April 18 and the USA Karate Open Championship April 19-20.
At the Junior International Cup, Leong earned a silver medal in the 16-year-old advanced kata division.
At the USA Open, Leong was a three-time winner. He earned bronze medals in two divisions —team kumite and elite male kumite (-76kg), ages 16-17 — and the gold medal in the men’s elite kata division (ages 16-34).
According to an April 25 press release, the men’s elite kata division was the main event of the competition’s final day. Leong “defeated a top-ranked athlete from Brazil in a dramatic final round on center stage,” the press release said
“Kekai’s accomplishments are extraordinary,” high school Principal Tim Los Banos said in the release.
“His commitment, character and courage exemplify what it means to be a Saint Louis man. We are proud to support him in his journey and celebrate this milestone together as a school ohana.”