Flashback: ‘The Crank’ and Pikaboo win; Chentsova delivers

In this 2015 file photo, the CNMI’s Victoria Chentsova competes in the 800m freestyle event in the 16th FINA World Championships at the Kazan Arena, in Kazan, Russia. (Contributed Photo)

It was a fruitful day for the islands’ pride on Aug. 7, 2015, as Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez and Frank “The Crank” Camacho triumphed in Pacific Xtreme Combat 49 and swimmer Victoria Chentsova set a national record.

Chentsova broke one of the oldest marks in the CNMI swim record books after competing in the 800m freestyle race in the 16th FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia. The Saipan Swim Club swimmer clocked in at 9:48.87 on Heat 1 of the qualifying races for the 800m freestyle event to smash the then nearly 20-year-old record of fellow SSC swimmer Anneka Sakovich, who logged 9:50.22 on Aug. 18, 1995.

In this 2015 file photo, the CNMI’s Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez, rear, uses a rear-naked choke to beat the Philippines Jessie Rafols in their flyweight bout in the PXC 49 at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Guam. (PXC Photo)

Besides earning the national record, Chentsova also set the mark in the 17 to 18 age group. She joined the 400m freestyle race before the 800m freestyle event and logged an age group record after registering 4:44.15, surpassing the 14-year mark of another SSC swimmer, Xenavee Pangelinan (4:45.21 on July 29, 2001).

Meanwhile, on the octagon cage, Alvarez and Camacho both scored victories in the first round of their respective bouts in the PXC 49 at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Guam.

In this 2015 file photo, Frank “The Crank” Camacho, right, watches Japan’s Kengo Ura kiss the canvas during their lightweight duel in the PXC 49 at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Guam. (PXC Photo)

Alvarez defeated the Philippines’ Jessie Rafols via rear-naked choke submission in their flyweight bout, while Camacho had knockout victory over Japan’s Kengo Ura in their lightweight duel.

Camacho took less than five minutes to beat Ura, as the Marianas warriors went on the offensive right at the get-go. His right hook hit Ura on the left jaw and brought the Japanese down to the canvas. Ura stood up only to be punished anew by Camacho, this time with a combination and followed it up with a big right to finish off the hapless Japanese fighter with 37 seconds left in the opening round.

In this 2015 file photo, the CNMI’s Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez, top, grapples with the Philippines Jessie Rafols in their flyweight bout in the PXC 49 at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Guam. (PXC Photo)

Alvarez was also aiming for a KO over Rafols, but when an opportunity to win via submission was presented to the Trench Tech standout, he grabbed it. Alvarez, actually, got into trouble first when his Filipino foe attempted a guillotine choke on him before the former managed to escape. The two fighters then battled it out down the canvas and with Alvarez seeing Rafols puffing due to fatigue, the CNMI made the move, earning the win at the 3:46 mark of Round 1.

Both Alvarez and Camacho dedicated their victories to the Commonwealth residents, as their wins came just a few days after the islands were hit by Super Typhoon Soudelor.