Cruz gets bronze medal in European Championship

Marilyn Cruz won the bronze medal in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation European Championship 2023 held in the Insitut Du Judo in Paris, France from Jan. 23 to 29. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Marilyn M. Cruz, a Kagman High School and Northern Marianas College alumnae, bagged a podium finish in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation European Championship 2023 held in the Insitut Du Judo in Paris, France from Jan. 23 to 29.

In the purple belt, 48.50-kg division, Cruz placed third behind gold medalist Sonia Ariz Michel, and silver medalist Kamily Takayas de Oliveira. Tied in third with Cruz is Gabrielle Kari Etzel.

In the competition, she said that she believes that she could have placed higher. 

“In my last match, at the last few seconds, I was able to get an angle on my opponent and get a better position on her, but she held me off till the time was up. If I had a few more seconds, I believe the match would’ve been in my favor.”

“The winner was determined by score. It was 0 to 0 on points, 3 to 1 on advantages, so my opponent got the lead in advantages and won the overall score,” Cruz said on how the points are determined.

Besides her most recent conquest in Paris, the 30-year-old had a very productive 2022 in her chosen sport after competing in numerous tournaments and super fights. 

At purple belt, some of her notable accomplishments are: ADCC West Coast trials (Top 16), gold medalist in World Masters Championship, silver medalist in No-Gi World Championships, Bronze medalist in Gi and No-Gi American Nationals, gold medalist in San Diego International open, and bronze medalist in the Los Angeles Open. 

Cruz then thanked her sponsors Lone Fox Bistro & Lounge, Mind2Muscle, and Guam Nutrition and Fitness Coach. 

“I’d like to thank the sponsors who facilitated the trip to compete in Paris. They are all small local businesses from Saipan and Guam, who have helped me greatly in my goals as an athlete, and especially competing in the European Championships. I appreciate the support coming from back home. It keeps me in pursuit of my goals and propels me further into the sport as an athlete from the CNMI. They are aiding in paving the way for future athletes of the CNMI who would like to compete abroad, and at the highest levels.”

Cruz added, “I’d like to thank my teammates (Baret Submissions) and professor Baret Yoshida in San Diego who prepare me daily for all my competitions, and the sponsors who facilitated the trip to compete in Paris.”

When asked what her plans are for this year, Cruz said that she has plans to compete in more events.  

“I am hoping to get more super fight opportunities in submission only rule sets (these are mostly invitational, and will require more experience), while pursuing other titles at the highest level of Jiu-Jitsu! To list a few upcoming tournaments I will be participating in the Los Angeles International Open and Pan American Championship in March 2023 (Florida), and then World Championships in the Summer (California).” 

At just age 24, Cruz started jiu-jitsu and she currently trains under the tutelage of Baret Yoshida from Team Baret Submissions at The Training Center, San Diego. She’s been training with the same team for six years.

Cruz graduated high school in 2010 and college in 2013. She left for San Diego, California in 2015 and still resides there today. She currently works in the mortgage industry and is continuing her studies for web development.

If you are interested in sponsoring or supporting Cruz in upcoming competitions, email marilynsmcruz@gmail.com.