3 earn promotion at Trench Tech

Trench Tech Purebred Gym owner Cuki Alvarez, second right, joins students and other fighters training at the Saipan gym.
(Contributed Photo)

Three Trench Tech Brazilian jiu-jitsu students’ months of hard work and training finally paid off after they earned their promotion Tuesday night at the Trench Tech Purebred Saipan Gym.

Promoted were Samuel Alvarez earning one stripe and Giovanni Taitingfong and Paulo Sangalang with two stripes each. Purebred Guam BJJ Academy head instructor/owner professor Stephen Roberto supervised the promotion ceremony.

Alvarez is the youngest of the three at 14 years old and has been training for almost a year now.

Trench Tech gym owner Cuki Alvarez said his nephew has shown significant improvement with his skills despite having Asperger syndrome.

“He’s shown significant improvement in his skill set and technique. Although he has an autistic disability, he does not let that bother him and he’s shown willingness to further improve,” added Cuki Alvarez.

“Jiu-jitsue seems to be an excellent outlet for him to stay active and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.”

Those who have Asperger have difficulty with social interaction and exhibit a restricted range of interests and/or repetitive behavior. Motor development is also sometimes delayed that results to clumsiness or uncoordinated movement according to AutismSpeaks.org.

Taitingfong, who was a frequent victim of bullying while growing up, took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Vida BJJ in Guam. The 19-year-old has been an active MMA fighter ever since, competing in Trench Tech-organized events.

Cuki Alvarez said Taitingfong has consistently improved every year since coming back to Saipan three years ago. “He is now a candidate for a blue gi in a few months if he stays on the grind.”

Brazilian jiu-jitsue uses the gi as its uniform and it is similar to the ones used by the other Japanese martial arts.

Taitingfong has won numerous MMA events including a gold in the 2014 Takedown Tournament in Guam, the 130-lb white belt division of the Copa de Marianas, and a was undefeated to clinch the wrestling gold in the All Island Wrestling Tournament at the Father Duenas Memorial School.

Sangalang, 25, had his formal BJJ training with the legendary Gracie Barra. He’s been training full time at Trench Tech the last five months after Barra closed their academy, and has shown huge advancement with his skills and techniques.