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Cuki rules Copa Master class
Cuki Alvarez celebrates his win in the Masters division of the 10th Copa de Marianas Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament held last Saturday in Guam. (Contributed Photo)
Trench Tech Gym owner Cuki Alvarez went home with the gold medal in the 10th Copa de Marianas Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament held last Saturday at the Father Duenas Phoenix Center in Mangilao, Guam.
Alvarez defeated Norbert Mendiola of Team Steel Athletics-Spike 22 via points, 6-4, in the gold medal match of the Masters 37-up Purple belt absolute gi division. 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 to move into the title duel.
Mendiola, meanwhile, needed a Bow and Arrow choke hold in beating compatriot Flores and advancing 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, Adult, and Masters age groups.
Competitions were also divided into the men’s and women’s classes in the Gi and No-Gi events and each group attracted local and international BJJ practitioners that included four of the top female grapplers in the world.
China’s Emma Xiong, reigning world champion Talita Alencar of Brazil, Filipino-American Kristina Barlaan, and Brazil-born Tassia Pimenta were the top female grapplers invited in the competition that offered a $4,000 combined cash prize.
Barlaan scored an upset when she defeated world champ Alencar by referee’s decision with the former’s sweep attempt in their match earning her the judges’ nod to become the inaugural Copa women’s 55kg black belt champ. Barlaan now holds a 1-2 record against Alencar, avenging her consecutive losses to the Brazilian in the gold medal match of the Pan-American Games and the semifinal round of the world championships, which were both held this year.
