TOP 10 STORIES OF 2012 – #1

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Based on the number of hits on www.guamsportsnetwork.com, we break down the Top 10 Stories of 2012.

#1: Maybe everyone needed to see it to believe it. The arrival of Wanderlei Silva on Guam received the most hits on GSPN for 2012. Wanderlei is arguably the biggest sports celebrity to ever grace our shores and his bright personality only gained more fans. From the moment he and wife Tea (Tay-ah) stepped on island up to the time of departure from his five-day stay, Wanderlei did not turn back a single autograph or photo request. Wanderlei was here as the special guest for the GSPN Jiu-Jitsu Open.

#2: It was the announcement of the year: Jon Tuck makes the UFC history by becoming the first Guam fighter to make it to the big show. Hits came from all over the world to find out the latest news on Tuck’s signing with the biggest MMA promotion in the world. And to top things off, he was part of the huge promotional campaign in Asia going up against the top-rated fighter from China. Tuck gave GSPN the inside scoop but we couldn’t post it until it was official on Sept 6th. History was made.

#3: The ever-growing sport of jiu-jitsu got a shot in the arm with the GSPN Jiu Jitsu Open on Dec. 1. The super fight between Clark Gracie and Makoto Aramaki was a highlight as it was the first time ever a Gracie fought on Guam. Eric Sian was the first brown belt champion. Oh, and we had the coolest guest to grace our island, the one and only Wanderlei Silva made a special appearance. The press conference held at the AK showroom was pretty cool, too.

#4: In a well-played, high-octane championship game, the Sanchez Sharks outscored the GW Geckos 39-32 to be crowned high school football champs on Oct. 28. Sharks running back Dondre Barnes ran for 228 yards and three TDs in front of a huge crowd at Okkodo Field. Check out what GW’s Joe Carreon and Rashaun Blas did for the Geckos offensively.

#5: Maybe it’s the number of participants that draw them to GSPN to see the results but running always gets heavy traffic. Surprisingly, the kick off story to the high school cross country season- Cross Country Takes Off – got enough hits to finish #5 on the list.

#6: Arguably the biggest sports achievement in Guam sports history, Jon Tuck took to the big stage of the UFC. The island boy from Guam easily beat China’s best in his debut in UFC Macao. It only lands at #6 with the most hits.

#7: It was one for the baseball ages. Game 7. Bottom of the ninth inning. Pinch hit walk-off double for Glen Fernandez, leading the Moylan’s Braves to a Dramatic Game 7 win and their fourth straight BBL title. Some good photos to go along with it, too.

#8: Any time an All-Island list is posted, a massive rush of online hits ensues. The high school football All-Island list had enough readers clamoring to see who made it that it was good enough for #8 on the list.

#9: A feature story back in August about a jiu jitsu academy in California headed by a Guam native garnered some serious interest with GSPN readers. Chris Gutierrez’s Conde Koma BJJ article hits the Top 10 at #9.

#10: The National Bodybuilding Championship on Nov. 10 breaks the top 10 list.

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