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)