Previous Story
Jiu-jitsu team to compete in Guam, asks for support
Cuki Alvarez, center, joins the rest of Team Saipan for a group photo after their training at the TrenchTech Gym in Garapan. Alvarez and six other Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioners will be competing in the 2018 Marianas Open Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament in Guam next month. (Contributed Photo)
TrenchTech Gym Saipan will be sending a seven-member team to the 2018 Marianas Open Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament in Guam on April 22.
TrenchTech Gym owner and promoter Cuki Alvarez and professor Clinton Dela Cruz will be heading the team, which is asking for support from the local business community.
“We are humbly soliciting monetary donations from the business community to assist us with our travel expenses,” Alvarez told Saipan Tribune.
He added that Team Saipan is ready to represent in the region’s premier grappling tournament. Alvarez will be competing as a brown belt, while Dela Cruz is the lone black belt on the team that also has Kier Agda (white), Ken Tanzawa (purple), and blue belters Paulo Sangalang, Giovonni Taitingfong, and Jeff Garcia as members.
Last year, Alvarez won a gold medal in the Masters 37 and above purple belt absolute gi division in the 10th Copa de Marianas Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament in Guam. He defeated Norbert Mendiola of Team Steel Athletics-Spike 22 via points, 6-4, in the gold medal match of the annual event held at the Father Duenas Phoenix Center in Mangilao. Alvarez faced Rich Flores, also of Team Steel Athletics, in his first match, winning by Samurai choke submission in over three minutes of their scheduled seven-minute bout. Mendiola, meanwhile, needed a Bow and Arrow choke hold to beat compatriot Flores in the semifinals and advance to the medal match against Alvarez.
More than 100 grapplers and BJJ practitioners joined the one-day event that had different weight divisions for kids, teens, adults, and masters age groups.
Meanwhile, interested donors can contact Alvarez at the TrenchTech Gym in Garapan or at 783-4MMA (4662).
