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By Patrick Lujan

Gerson Atoigue goes to work on his way to a black belt gold medal in the Arizona State BJJ Championships. (courtesy photo)

Three Guam jiu-jitsu practitioners medalled last weekend in the Arizona State Jiu-Jitu Championships.

Twenty-three year-old black belt Gerson Atoigue took gold in the lightweight division while the other two took silver.

“My first tournament as a black belt feels awesome but I know I have to work even harder,” said Atoigue.

Two-time IBJJF World Junior Champion Robert Maloney won his first three matches before falling in the finals via triangle in the middleweight blue belt adult division.

“I learned a lot from all my matches and will be fixing my game in the gym,” Maloney said.

Gerard Atoigue also captured silver in the blue belt absolute senior I division. Gerard Atoigue was third in his ultra heavyweight division.

Tinian’s Keli Manglona took silver in the purple belt medium-heavyweight division and UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson won the black belt medium-heavyweight and absolute gold medals.

Representing in Arizona. (L-R): Fred Taitague, owner of Super Fresku; Gerard Atoigue, silver medalist, Jon Tuck; UFC fighter; and Robert Maloney, silver medalist. (courtesy photo)

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