Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 9, 1 September 2008 — Kai wins Olympic gold [ARTICLE]

Kai wins Olympic gold

Natasha Kai of Kahuku won gold at the Beijing 01ympics when the U.S. women's soccer team beat Brazil 1-0 in front of a crowd of 51,612 that included Kobe Bryant, Brazilian soccer great Pelē and International 01ympic Coimnittee president Iacques Rogge. Kai entered the game in overtime and joined her teannnates in celebrating the team's third 01ympic gold in four 01ympics - with hugs, American flags and charging across the field. Carli Lloyd scored the goldmedal winning goal. Kai, who played for the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, scored a crucial goal in the U.S. team's earlier 2-0 win against Canada, whieh landed them a spot in the semifinals. Gennany won the bronze medal by beating lapan 2-0. Kai, who sports mukiple tattoos honoring her Native Hawaiian heritage, has been a popular personality appearing in ads, most recently a 'Got Milk?' 01ympians ad along with Hawai'i decathlete Bryan Clay, who also won gold.