Wanderlei Silva expresses how happy he is to be on the island and is eager for the GSPN Open event. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)
The main attractions for Saturday’s GSPN Jiu Jitsu Open were introduced to the island’s media outlets as Atkins Kroll/Scion held a press conference Friday afternoon.
Martial arts legend Wanderlei Silva was pleased with the turnout of the event and said he’s been waiting for this trip for a long time.
“This is my first time to Guam and I love it already,” Silva said. “I know this won’t be my last time here.”
BJJ black belt world champion Clark Gracie arrived Friday morning and is set for his super fight against Japan’s Makoto Aramaki.
Gracie is no stranger to Guam despite this being his first visit. “I’ve trained with a lot of Guam people in San Diego and I don’t know what you drink or eat here, but Guam fighters are very skilled and they pick up really fast.”
AK/Scion hosted the press conference coordinated by Daena Mansapit. She feels that the event ran smoothly.
Attendees and guest speakers burst in laughter after Patrick Lujan mentioned the he has the best looking ears on the conference table. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)
“Everyone was happy (about the professional atmosphere) and the corporate managers were happy,” Mansapit said. “I’m just glad our special visitors were happy.”
Tea Silva, Wanderlei’s wife, has been to many a press conference before and said that she was very impressed by how it was set up.
The GSPN Jiu Jitsu Open is set for Saturday at the UOG Field House. Doors open at 9 a.m. with the brown belt division starting off the competition at 9:30 a.m.