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Team Tinian holds first grappling event
Two competitors in Team Tinian’s inaugural submission grappling tournament try to outsmart each other during last week’s event held at the Tinian Gym. (Contributed Photo)
Team Tinian held its first open tournament last Friday at the Tinian Gym in San Jose in its continuing efforts to further promote the mixed martial art of grappling.
Team Tinian coach Allen Manglona led the eight entries to the weekend event and was joined by three MMA fighters who competed in last month’s Rites of Passage 22: Rampage. The rest of the participants were newcomers.
Manglona topped the one-day tournament and won the $20 cash prize by beating Kimo Adriano via scarf hold. Perry Mundo finished third.
Manglona said the inaugural tournament was a great experience and confidence builder to all, especially to the regulars who train with them.
“All competitors performed well and showcased their grappling skills. It was really a great experience and I believe competition like this can help increase the Tinian fighter’s skill level and improve our island’s overall MMA game. I hope that Tinian will have more grappling tournaments in the future,” said Manglona.
He added that the inaugural grappling tournament was planned by Nick Ayuyu, who also provided the cash prize.
“It is one of our efforts to have the community of Tinian develop more interest in the sport and practice the art of submission grappling in a fun, safe, and competitive manner,” Manglona said.
Nick Ayuyu, Peter Ayuyu, Juschery Castro, Vincent Manibusan, and Stefan San Nicolas were the others competitors in the inaugural grappling tournament.
San Nicolas defeated Manibusan in the opening match via armbar, while Manglona bested Castro by way of scarf hold chest compression. Mundo used a triangle choke in beating Peter Ayuyu, while Adriano sneaked in the rear-naked choke to force Nick Ayuyu to submit.
Manglona faced Manibusan in the first semifinals and the former outsmarted his opponent by way of the Americana shoulder lock, while Adriano earned a finals spot after beating Mundo via the North-South choke. Mundo won against Manibusan in the battle for third via triangle choke.
Meanwhile, Team Tinian will be holding another grappling tournament on Nov. 4, Saturday, also at the Tinian Gym.
