SPORTS roundup 1. Joe
SPORTS roundup 1. Joe Toma (foreground) is aiming for the Tour de France. 2. Yellow quarterback Nathan Karrumi 3. A heated play for the Chy Cup. Yellow wins CFL gold By Steve Stein 1 It was the same old story this fall in the Chaldean Football League. For the second consecutive year, a team coached by Nathan Karrumi won the playoff title game and the coveted Chy Cup that goes to the champion of the flag football league. Karrumi’s Team Yellow defeated Team Blue 25-18 on a cold night October 17 at West Bloomfield High School. Team Blue was coached by Chris Zeer. This was the 30th season for the Windsor teen is ‘spokes-man’ for hard work By Steve Stein Joe Toma offered some simple explanations for why he enjoys competitive bicycle road racing so much. “Races are like chess on wheels. There are a lot of tactics involved,” he said. The 15-year-old Windsor, Ontario teen also doesn’t mind the hard work that’s required year-round, both on and off his bike. “For me, suffering is fun,” he insisted. “I don’t mind it at all. I guess I like oxygen deprivation.” In his short career with the Windsor-based Maple Leaf Cycling Club, Toma has certainly made his opponents suffer. He’s won several races in Ontario and Michigan during two seasons of competition. Many of Toma’s wins have come in his age group. His most impressive victory was in the Cadet Men division in the Welland (Ontario) Twilight Criterium on a hot day in August. “I didn’t go to Welland expecting to win,” said Toma, a 5-foot-6, 119- pounder. “My goal was simply to see how well I could do.” Toma’s first racing bike cost photos by David Reed 2 3 0. Now his bikes cost in the ,000 to ,000 range. At his level of racing, Toma said, the quality of the bike is crucial. “Until you start racing as a professional, your engine [bike] is almost more important than anything else,” he said. Toma would like to race as a professional someday. That would clear the way for his ultimate cycling goal. “I’d love to compete in the Tour de France,” he said. “They say the ideal age for that is 24, so I have some time.” Toma is a sophomore at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Windsor, carrying an A-minus average. He wants to go to college someday, so academics play an important role in his life. “Plus, I can’t practice and compete in cycling if I don’t do well in school,” he said. Parents Jony and Cynthia Toma say they’re proud of his cycling and academic achievements, and his dedication to cycling. “We’re so happy that he’s gotten involved in cycling and is keeping busy,” Cynthia Toma said. “His mom doesn’t have to nag him about anything. Because of cycling, Joe has seen what can happen when you work hard and set goals.” Cynthia Toma said cycling has helped her son mature and prosper in many ways. “Joe used to be shy around adults, but now he has much more confidence,” she said. “He’s met so many adults through cycling. He has more contacts than I do.” league, and the 29th time the Stanley Cup-style Chy Cup was awarded. Karrumi’s Team Yellow beat Team Red 32-7 in last year’s league championship game, held for the first time at West Bloomfield. Team Yellow led Team Blue most of the way. Karrumi’s two long touchdown runs of more than 50 yards, called “highlight reel runs” by league commissioner Joey Jonna, paved the way for the Team Yellow victory. Zeer did his best to keep Team Blue in the game, throwing three touchdown passes. Team Yellow finished 9-3, including regular-season and playoff games. Team Blue finished 7-5. There were once again six teams and 60 players in the league. 30 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2009
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