By Patrick Lujan

Wanderlei and his wife, Tea, receive a warm welcome as they arrive. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The world-famous Wanderlei Silva touched down at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Thursday night, ready to partake as the special guest of the GSPN Jiu Jitsu Open this Saturday at the UOG Field House.

“I’m very happy to be here,” Silva said after exiting the Boeing 777 aircraft. “Ever since I knew I was coming to Guam, I’ve been excited. Even my wife Tea wanted to come. I’ve heard so many good things about Guam and the people.”

Silva will be on hand at the first-ever GSPN Open where almost 170 of the island’s jiu jitsu practitioners are registered to roll in this gi tournament.

The tournament will also feature a superfight betweeen USA’s Clark Gracie and Japan’s Makoto Aramaki. Gracie is a no-gi world champion based out of La Jolla, Calif. and is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, the creator of Brazilian (Gracie) Jiu Jitsu. Aramaki is the owner and main instructor of Hong Kong Jiu Jitsu and is a former Asian Open black belt absolute champion. He is also a black belt in judo.

While on Guam, Silva will be spending time with the deploying troops from the Army National Guard heading out to the Middle East in February. He will also be hosting a MMA Seminar on Monday at the International Sports Center from 3-6 p.m. Contact ISC at 477-9885 to get a slot in this exclusive seminar.

Doors open to the Field House at 9 a.m. Saturday with the first matches starting at 9:30. Tickets are on sale at the door for $15 per person 13-years-old and above and $8 per person 12-years-old and below.

(update: Clark Gracie arrived Friday morning and is ready to roll)

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