By Patrick Lujan
Every year, the Asian International Open has been the most participated off-island jiu jitsu tournament by our local practitioners and this weekend is nothing different as 40 or so grapplers roll in Nagoya, Japan.
Purebred Guam has 28 grapplers participating, far outnumbering any other Guam camp. Of the 28, thirteen are returning medalists to include Mike Sanchez, Brogan Walker, Joshua Jerome, Jade Blas, Ivan Valencia, Raypaul Jardon, David Harris,
James Roberto, Mark Pangelinan, Mark Smith, Glenn Biscoe, Eric Sian and Rebecca Tomada.
Figo’/Bonsai is the next largest delegation with six participants to include returning medalists Neri Blas and Ruben Rivas.
Here is a list of Guam athletes from the official tournament roster. Numbers in parenthesis indicates how many athletes are signed up for that division.
WHITE BELT
Light Feather (9): Bonsai JJ – Guam Robert Prieto; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Jerred Pastones
Feather (12): Bonsai JJ – Guam Peter Cruz
Female Light (4): Carlson Gracie Team Ladera Linn
Master Light (8): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Derrick Ross
Master Middle (7): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Marlo Cruz
Master Med Heavy (3): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Cort Jamison
BLUE BELT
Light (5): Carlson Gracie International Kyle Palomo
Rooster (8): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Daniel Cayanan
Light Feather (12): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Patrick Cruz Flores
Feather (16): Bonsai JJ – Guam Neri Blas; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Kevin Rivera; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Oliver Cruz
Light (20): Bonsai JJ – Guam Norberto Rosario; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Jade Anthony Blas
Heavy (8): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Ivan Valencia
Female Feather (7): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Rebecca Tomada; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Tracy Matanane
Female Light (5): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Brogan Walker
Master Ultra Heavy (3): Zenith BJJ – Las Vegas Erik Flores
Master Light Feather (5): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Glenn Biscoe
Master Heavy (2): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Mark Smith
PURPLE BELT
Light Feather (14): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Ray Paul Jardon
Feather (18): Carlson Gracie Team Joe Tenorio
Light (13): Carlson Gracie International Anthony Cruz; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam David Harris
Medium Heavy (5): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam James Roberto
Female Medium Heavy (3): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Dina Salverian
BROWN BELT
Light Feather (9): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Michael Gregory Sanchez
Feather (8): Bonsai JJ – Guam Elijah Reyes; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam David John Tuncap Benavente; Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Eduardo Salanatin Jr
Light (6): Zenith BJJ – Las Vegas Joshua Edward Santos
Medium Heavy (4): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Eric James A Sian
Master Light (6): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam June Sun
Master Medium Heavy (5): Bonsai JJ – Guam Ruben Rivas
Master Ultra Heavy (2): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Joshua Paul Jerome
Master Feather (4): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Rob Gutierrez
Master Middle (1): Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam Mark C. Pangilinan
BLACK BELT
None
Members from the Figo’/Bonsai team get some training in Japan this week prior to the Asian Open. (photo courtesy of Ruben Rivas)
DID U KNOW?
Frank ‘The Crank’ Camacho was a competitive youth golfer in Saipan with dreams of making it to the PGA.
QUICK HITS
(AP/Carlos Osorio)
