Connect with us

Feature

RAPOLLA IS A JIU-JITSU DYNAMITE

[sixcol_five_last]

Clowe Rapolla controlled the competition on her way to the gold medal in the peewee division of the GSPN Open. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Clowe Rapolla controlled the competition on her way to the gold medal in the peewee division of the GSPN Open. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

By Regina Shiroma

In only 10 months time, 10-year-old Clowe Ann Rapolla has displayed much drive and ambition at such a young age in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Clowe trains with her older brothers, who started in the sport before she finally gave it a shot in February 2012. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Clowe trains with her brother Kymani, who started in the sport before she finally gave it a shot in February 2012. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Winning a gold medal in two of the three tournaments that she competed in 2012 (one of which was in the GSPN Open on Dec. 1), the little ball of dynamite has learned a lot.

Clowe decided that it was time for her to get her gi on after watching her two younger brothers on the mat.

“I was watching my brothers training and I wanted to train. By just watching my brothers, I’ve just been learning how to spar and be good.”

“When we spar, because we get to grapple, I just feel like we’re having fun,” said Clowe of her favorite part of the sport.

Mother of Clowe and her two younger brothers, Christina Rapolla, did not enroll Clowe at first.

“She would always watch their practices and practice with them at home before she even joined.”

In just these few months, mom gives credit to Clowe’s accomplishments through the sport in one word.

Clowe got her inspiration to try jiu-jitsu by watching her brothers first. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Clowe got her inspiration to try jiu-jitsu by watching her brothers Kymani (L) and Damian (R). (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

“Discipline,” said mom. “She’s coming from a military background, so she has a whole lot of discipline and she learns very well.”

Christina is a SSgt in the Guam Air National Guard and instills that military discipline upon her children.

Added to that discipline is her aggressiveness. That was evident in her approach during tournaments where she is the aggressor and attacker on the mat, usually finishing matches fairly quickly via submission.

The fifth grader from Tamuning Elementary has been coached under the guidance of twin brothers Elijah and Luis Reyes since she has started.

Elijah Reyes reiterated saying, “She’s disciplined and very respectful. Discipline, to me, is the best word to use. You tell her what to do, she knows the rules, I don’t need to ask what she did wrong. She knows right from wrong.”

Sometimes when on the mat, if Clowe doesn’t know what to do, Elijah is right there on the sidelines walking her through what she needs to do.

“She listens very well, too,” said Elijah Reyes. “When I tell her to tuck her elbow, she does it.”

Discipline, respect, and listens well. This ‘A’ honor roll student already encompasses the attitude of a humble athlete, and has the love and passion for the sport.

Two gold medals in 2012 - more to coming for this young and talented jiu-jitsu practitioner. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Two gold medals in 2012 – more to coming for this young and talented jiu-jitsu practitioner. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

“Clowe do you plan on playing any sports when you get older?”

“No, just Jiu-Jitsu,” replied Clowe.

“How about any hobbies, do you have any other hobbies?”

“Just Jiu-Jitsu.”

So its settled, just Jiu-Jitsu for Clowe Ann Rapolla. Of course, until she becomes a music teacher.

[/sixcol_five_last][useful_banner_manager_banner_rotation banners=53, 38 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]

[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/?p=21211″ type=”button”][fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/?p=21211″ style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

May

June 2023

July
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
Events for May

31st

No Events
Events for June

1st

No Events
Events for June

2nd

No Events
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Events for June

3rd

No Events
Events for June

4th

No Events
Events for June

5th

No Events
Events for June

6th

No Events
Events for June

7th

No Events
Events for June

8th

No Events
Events for June

9th

No Events
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Events for June

10th

No Events
Events for June

11th

No Events
Events for June

12th

No Events
Events for June

13th

No Events
Events for June

14th

No Events
Events for June

16th

Events for June

17th

18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Events for June

18th

Events for June

18th

No Events
Events for June

19th

No Events
Events for June

20th

No Events
Events for June

21st

No Events
Events for June

22nd

No Events
Events for June

23rd

No Events
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
Events for June

25th

Events for June

25th

No Events
Events for June

26th

No Events
Events for June

27th

No Events
Events for June

28th

No Events
Events for June

29th

No Events

COMING SOON …

GUAM SPORTS ON HOLD DUE TO SUPER TYPHOON MAWAR

QUICK HITS

Bishop Obispos beat Mt. Carmel for the IIAAG Middle School Girls Basketball championship 37-25.
—————————————-
The Benavente Roadrunners crushed the Agueda Pirates 17-1 to win the 76 PONY Middle School Baseball League. Rodney San Nicolas was a beat, striking out 13 batters in a complete game while going 4-for-4 at the plate, including a homer and 4 RBI.

 

More in Feature