[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.)
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 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 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.)
“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]
[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”]


GPS Sports Calendar
July 2025
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for June
1st
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
2nd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
3rd
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
4th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
5th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
6th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
7th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
8th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
9th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
2025 PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Events for July
10th
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
FD ALUMNI BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Events for July
11th
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
Events for July
12th
Events for July
13th
Events for July
14th
Events for July
15th
Events for July
16th
Events for July
17th
Events for July
18th
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
Events for July
19th
Events for July
20th
Events for July
21st
Events for July
22nd
Events for July
23rd
Events for July
24th
Events for July
25th
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
Events for July
26th
Events for July
27th
Events for July
28th
Events for July
29th
Events for July
30th

Pacific Mini Games
SOFTBALL COMES UP BIG OVER PALAU 11-4

Volleyball
GUAHAN BOYS WIN NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Pacific Mini Games
BASEBALL ADVANCES TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

Pacific Mini Games
PMG DAY 2: GUAM STILL SEARCHES FOR FIRST MEDAL

Jiu-Jitsu
CRUZ BROS. CRUISE THROUGH STATESIDE COMP

Pacific Mini Games
WATER SPORTS KICKS THINGS OFF IN DAY 1

Basketball
YI NAMED NEW UOG BASKETBALL COACH

Pacific Mini Games
KENT GETS GOLD IN 10K, AS EXPECTED
COMING SOON …
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament June 27-July 18
Pacific Mini Games June 29-July 9
QUICK HITS