[sixcol_five_last]
By Patrick Lujan
Back-to-back world champion.
Add yet another huge accomplishment to Robert Maloney’s long list of achievements in Jiu-Jitsu.
Maloney won his second straight IBJJF World Championship, taking the 175-lb. blue belt juvenile division – the same as a year ago at the Mundials – the biggest Jiu-Jitsu tournament in the world.
“It feels great,” the 17-year-old told GSPN. “All the hard work I put in over the years and showing it on the mats today, it feels awesome.”
Maloney went through four matches, winning by bow-and-arrow choke in the first round, 11-0 in the second round and 6-2 in the third round before finally taking the gold medal match 4-0 over a tough Brazilian.
He said he had extra drive of winning it this year since it’s his last Worlds competition in the juvenile division. Robert turns 18 next February.
“The competition was pretty tough. A lot of great fighters.”
Competiting in the third day of the Mundials, Maloney had a chance to watch the open division compete prior to his competition day.
“It makes me more nervous but excited at the same time,” he said about watching the older divisions. “I see how people get caught in some moves, and I think about it and I make sure I don’t get caught in that.”
Meeting the Best
In between matches, it’s not hard to bump into the likes of Caio Terra, the Mendes brothers or Rodolfo Vieira. For Maloney, meeting Marcus Buchecha was a dream come true.
“He’s the No. 1 black belt,” Maloney said. “I didn’t know what to say. I love his Jiu-Jitsu. I watched him for one whole week (on youtube) and and I wanted to do the same moves at Worlds. I pulled off one of them.”
Mother’s Perspective
With his next move going into the open division, Maloney is already a physical specimen. His mother Edwina feels his mental game is right along with it.
“I do believe that he is ready for the next level,” Mama Maloney said. “He has good team support, not only from his gym, but he gets it from everyone. A lot of islanders know him and a lot of fighters respond to him. I think he’s ready.”
Good Luck Gi
Two world championships in a row. Could it be the gi as his Lucky Charm?
A year ago heading into the Worlds, Edwina Maloney cut up a GSPN shirt and sewed on the logo behind the right leg of Robert’s gi. He’s used that set twice in Worlds competition and he’s been champion both times. Coincidence?
NOTES: Other Guam practitioners who won medals at the Worlds were Brogan Walker (silver), David Harris (bronze) and Dylan Pablo (bronze).
[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/gspn/maloney-strikes-worlds-gold/ ” type=”button”][fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/gspn/maloney-strikes-worlds-gold/ ” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]
[/sixcol_five_last][useful_banner_manager_banner_rotation banners=69, 38, 53 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon