CARBULLIDO AIMS FOR THE TOP

By Ed Chargualaf

Michael Justin Carbullido is a man on a mission, his personal vision quest is to become the first Chamorro jiu jitsu black belt world champion.The current San Diego resident is a 22 year-old 2009 graduate of George Washington High School and a brown belt jiu jitsu fighter under Professor Andre Galvao.

Mike Carbullido getting ready to roll another tournament. (courtesy photo)

Galvao is a Brazilian jiu jitsu world champion and Abu Dhabi Pro Championships. Galvao is a second degree black belt, a founding member of the Atos Brazilian jiu jitsu team and author of the book Drill to Win.

“I moved out to California to follow my dreams of one day becoming a black belt world champion,” Carbullido proudly stated. “I train about six to eight hours a day, Monday through Saturday and I also teach the classes throughout the week.”

“I want to be a black belt Brazilian world champion,” Carbullido said. “There have only been three black belt world champions and I want to be the first Chamorro world champion. I may try MMA (mixed martial arts) someday, but my focus is on jiu jitsu.”

“When I came out, I didn’t know how I was going to survive. My mom (Pilar Carbullido) and grandpa (Francisco Carbullido) helped me out a lot,” Carbullido reflected. “It was a real struggle at first. This made me stronger, not just physically, but mentally. I use this to help me focus in tournaments.”

“Both my kids are close to each other and it breaks my heart when they each say how much they miss being together and sharing activities or events together. It’s hard not being there with him to support him, to see him compete and, when he wins, to see the happiness in his face,” Pilar Carbullido said. “I have this ritual. I tell him before every tournament, ‘na metgot hao.’ It means for him to be strong mentally and physically, to remain focused and stay strong hearted!”

Carbullido was a multi-sport athlete going into high school, but everything changed in December of 2006 when he was introduced to jiu jitsu.

“In my freshman year, I took my first class at Gold’s Gym with Gabe (Baker),” Carbullido said. “I don’t know how to explain it. I did almost all sports in middle school and dropped it all. I fell in love with [jiu jitsu]. The feeling of competing, to win or lose, it just got to me.”

Carbullido teaching class at Atos in San Diego. (courtesy photo)

“Mikey as a person is funny, loving and, most of all, humble. He works harder to achieve his goals than a lot of young athletes,” Baker said. “As an athlete, he is a beast. He doesn’t stop until he reaches his goal. As a jiu jitsu player, Mikey found life through the art. He knows where his heart is. I am happy for him because this is what I am as an instructor. It’s about sharing and changing people’s lives for the better. We battle on the mats, but, in life, we love.”

Baker has been an instructor at Carlson Gracie, Jr. Guam for 11 years and is currently a jiu jitsu brown belt himself.

After two unsuccessful attempts, Carbullido qualified to compete in the ADCC championships. He suffered an injury right before the 2013 ADCC championships, but he still competed. Carbullido won his first fight, but lost his subsequent match.

“There are no excuses. I came back and trained harder than before,” Carbullido said looking focused and determined. “Throughout my career, I have never really had any injuries. This is the first time I had to deal with an injury and I didn’t know how to take it. I talked to Professor Galvao and he told me it’s just part of the game. I never got injured like this before but I have never trained like this before.”

Carbullido is preparing for a busy 2014 that includes the European Championships in Portugal in January, the Pan American Championships in March and the World Championships in June.

Mike Carbullido and girlfriend Kristy Ann Miyashita outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (courtesy photo)

“I believe and follow the motto that hard work will always beat talent, when talent refuses to work hard,” Carbullido stated.

“I will be here as long as it takes to win the world championship,” Carbullido proudly stated. “I am not going to fail because I have them – my mom, sister (Mikena Carbullido) and girlfriend (Kristy Miyashita) – on my mind. I want to be a role model and one day give back to Guam and grow jiu jitsu on the island.”

Mike Carbullido’s grandpa Francisco, mother Pilar, and sister Mikena Carbullido. (courtesy photo)

“It’s going to happen,” Carbullido added. “I get my hard work ethic from my mom and my heart from my sister and girlfriend. It’s going to happen.”

Mike Carbullido’s Jiu Jitsu Accomplishments:

• 2013 Five Grappling – Brown Belt Absolute Champion
• 2013 U.S. Nationals (1^st Division, 1^st Absolute)
• 2013 No Gi Pan American Championships (3^rd place Division, 3^rd place Absolute)
• 2013 Abu Dhabi West Coast Trials (1^st Division, 2^nd Absolute)
• 2013 Pan American Championships (2^nd Division)
• 2012 Spring/Long Beach Open (1^st Division, 1^st Absolute)
• 2012 Abu Dhabi Trials (1^st Division, 1^st Absolute)
• 2012 San Francisco Open (2^nd Division)
• 2012 World Championships (3^rd Division)
• 2012 U.S. Nationals (1^st Division, 1^st Absolute)
• 2012 Samurai Jiu-Jitsu Pro (1^st Division, 1^st Absolute)
• 2012 No Gi World Championships (2^nd Division)
• 2011 Abu Dhabi Trials (1^st Division)
• 2011 Phoenix Open (1^st Division)
• 2011 U.S. Open (1^st Division)
• 2011 World Championships (3^rd Division)
• 2011 US Nationals (1^st Division)
• 2011 Pan American Championships (1^st Division)
• 2010 Best of the West (1^st Division, 1^st Absolute)
• 2010 US Nationals (1^st Division)
• 2010 Abu Dhabi Trials (1^st Division, 2^nd Absolute)
• 2010 Fabio Santos Open (1^st Division)
• 2010 Philippine International Open (1^st Gi, 1^st No Gi)
• 2008 Pan Asian International Open (1^st Gi, 1^st No Gi)
• 2007 Philippine International Open (1^st Gi, 2^nd No Gi)
• 2006 Philippine BJJ Open (3^rd Gi)

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Carbullido with Professor Andre Galvao at his side. (courtesy photo)

Gabe Baker with a young Mike Carbullido, still a white belt, and Miguel Ayuyu. (courtesy photo)

Carbullido Teaching Class at Atos. (courtesy photo)

Carbullido Teaching Class at Atos. (courtesy photo)

Carbullido Teaching Class at Atos. (courtesy photo)

Mike’s mother Pilar, grandpa Francisco, and sister Mikena Carbullido. (courtesy photo)

Carbullido getting his hand raised after another tournament victory. (courtesy photo)

Carbullido doing work in the five grappling event where he won gold. (courtesy photo)

Carbullido winning gold in the brown belt division of the five grappling event. (courtesy photo)

Carbullido Attempting an arm bar submission. (courtesy photo)

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