NMI grapplers win in Guam

From left front row, Kier Agda, Paolo Sangalang, and Giovonni Taitingfong display their medals as they join the rest of Team CNMI for a group photo after last Sunday’s 2018 Marianas Open Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament in Guam. (Contributed Photo)

Team CNMI had a fruitful campaign in Guam, winning one gold and two silver medals in the 2018 Marianas Open Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament held last Sunday at the Father Duenas Memorial School Phoenix Center in Mangilao, Guam.

Giovonni Taitingfong struck gold, while Kier Agda and Paulo Sangalang went home with a silver each in the one-day tournament that attracted some of the top grapplers in the world, including Isaque Bahienser and Felipe Pena, who defended their respective titles in last weekend’s event.

Taitingfong, competing as a blue belt, ruled the 131 to 145 lb weight division after beating a local bet by points in the finals.

He told Saipan Tribune that he wanted to move up to a higher weight class because several participants in the division either pulled out the last minute or failed to show up on tournament day.

“But the matchmakers wouldn’t let me, so I stayed in the weight class,” Taitingfong. “I’m very humbled with the win and also hungry for the next ones. The team and I are looking forward for upcoming tournaments. This time, I might bump up a division.”

Agda, who won his first match by Kimura submission, settled for the silver despite going all out against his finals foe.

“My final match was pure war. My opponent and I literally turned our [BJJ] match into a wrestling match,” Agda said. “We were just fighting to takedown. We both felt each other’s power so none of us wanted to take the risk of getting on our back. We were tied in points almost the whole rounds.”

He added that he lost the gold when his opponent managed to shug him down and earn the win by advantage. “I definitely gave it my all and the most important thing was that I went out there and had fun.”

In other results, BJJ professor Clinton Dela Cruz, Cuki Alvarez, Jeff Garcia, and Ken Tanzawa had tougher assignments in their respective divisions, especially the former who competed as a black belter.

“Clinton and I fought and did our best, but fell short. That’s how the way goes, we live and we learn, we move forward and we inspire,” said Alvarez, who scored a 7-0 win over Joe Cruz in his first match.

The team wanted to thank Bridge Capital, MARPAL, Team Crank Industries, crankeffect.com, Hertz, and an anonymous individual for helping them fund their trip down south.

Meanwhile, Joel Subang, a Saipan resident and used to train at Trench Tech, but is now currently studying in Guam, also won a gold medal.

Pena dominated Jackson Sousa Dos Santos, 18-2, in the 181-210 lb class that drew nine fighters to pocket the $10,000 cash prize. Bahiense went home with the same purse after edging Renato Canuto, 2-0, in the under 181 lb category finals.