Trench Tech warriors aim high in BJJ tournament

Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez is among the 10 Trench Tech warriors who will compete in next month’s 2018 Asian IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Japan. (Jon Perez)

Trench Tech Purebred Saipan competitors are aiming for no less than gold medals in the 2018 Asian IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

“Our goal is to get that gold. We know we are in the upper-class division so it’s going to be tough, definitely. But, we are going out there to give our best and try to get that gold,” Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez said.

Alvarez is one of the 10 Trench Tech warriors who will see action in the Sept. 7 to 9 tournament dubbed as “Asian Open” and will be held at the Tokyo Budo-Kan in Tokyo, Japan. He will be joined on the team by his father, Cuki, Clinton Dela Cruz, Vince “The Clinch” Masga, Ken Tanzawa, Paulo Sangalang, Jeffery Garcia, Kier Agda, Giovanni Taitingfong, and Mark “The Dark” Nuique.

“This is the first big grappling tournament that we’re going to do and it is the biggest one in Asia. This is where the top dogs are going to be at and it is going to be a big test for us,” Shane added.

Shane will compete in the adult male purple belt (146 lbs) , the same division Masga is entered. Dela Cruz will vie for the medal in the black belt masters (146 lbs); Cuki in the brown belt masters 3 (146 lbs); Tanzawa in the purple belt (176 lbs); Sangalang and Garcia in the blue belt (146 lbs); Taitingfong in the blue belt (141 lbs); Agda in the white belt (200 lbs); and Nuique in the white belt (146 lbs).

The younger Alvarez said they are heading into right direction as far as their preparation for next month’s tournament is concerned.

“The great work ethic is there. We train everyday and we try to train two times a day. We are usually getting into our drills after a normal class so we are preparing good,” he said.

With their dedication to training, the Trench Tech fighter believes they are capable of dispatching their opponents.

“One that is very effective and we use a lot is the Kimura hold and we have a pretty high percentage of winning with that move. If not, our armbar is a pretty game,” Alvarez said.

He added that they are thankful for the opportunity to compete in a big stage as the Asian Open and he hopes they will join more high-level BJJ events to continue their improvement.

“We will keep joining all the big stage events and hopefully we get better.”

The Asian Open is one of the biggest events in the pacific region and showcases trained fighters’ grappling and boxing skills. The tournament is sanctioned by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation.