TAKEDOWN TOURNEY ROCKS MIRCO MALL

By Robert Balajadia

The second ever Takedown Tournament, as coordinated by GW Gecko’s wrestling coach Leuis Ting, took over the Micronesian Mall center court as wrestlers and jiu-jitsu practitioners took part in the all-day Saturday event.

It was a takedown only tournament so once a takedown or point was scored fighters were stood back up in the allotted three minutes of action. The tournament was originally supposed to be a double-elimination tournament but due to time constraints they had to forgo the losers bracket and just allow the top two finishers to duke it out for gold.

Stealing the spotlight in the evenings early going was wrestler Ethan Aguigui who won two gold medal matches in the 163 and 154 weight division despite weighing in at just 145 lbs.

His toughest opponent came in the 154 lb. division where Aguigui defeated Isaac Dexter Balajadia in a sudden death overtime to win gold after neither could score points in regulation time. Balajadia sprawled an Aguigui takedown but Aguigui found footing underneath Balajadia to turn him over and score the game winning takedown.

Guahan Soldier of the match Ethan Aguigui captures gold in the 163 and 154 lb division.

“The game plan was to come in and attack but I know he is aggressive so I felt to just ground it out until he makes a mistake. Throughout the whole match it was i was just feeling him out and seeing if he’ll bite on my fakes. Granted, he did bite and I was able to peep through for that game winning takedown. He’s a great wrestler, I give him props!” said Aguigui on the final instance of the match.

Both competitors nearly scored points in regulation as Balajadia managed to trip up Aguigui nearly completing the takedown but Aguigui’s lower body adjustments prevented him the takedown from following through.

Aguigui almost had a big takedown by lifting Balajadia off the ground but his low center gravity allowed Balajadia’s feet to touch the ground and remain standing before Aguigui could finish the takedown.

“My coaches make fun of me saying that my cures is I’m so short that when I come for a takedown it’s his legs that touch the ground first,” laughed Aguigui. “I came in for the big takedown, but he’s just athletic and made the adjustments to counter. It was just great defense on his part.”

Other notable winners was MMA star JJ Ambros, who was in the fight corner of the PXC’s new welterweight champion Zebastian Kadestam just the night before. Ambros stormed through the 189 lb. division eventually defeating Vince Charfarous in the finals.

Here are the list of winners in their respective weight divisions.

Isaac Balajadia defeated Doug Field after Field had to end the match due to an injury suffered mid fight. (photo by Asha Robles)

Men’s Division

143 lb: Gold – Jarred Pastones, Silver – Doug Field, Bronze – Victor Villagomez

154 lb: Gold – Ethan Aguigui, Silver – Isaac Balajadia, Bronze – J.J. Weires

163 lb: Gold – Ethan Aguigui, Silver – N. Roasrio, Bronze – Isaac Balajadia

189 lb: Gold – JJ Ambros, Silver – Vince Charfauros, Bronze – S. Lee.

213 lb: Gold – Enrique Baza, Silver – Brandon Respicio

Men’s Jr. Division

113 lb: Gold – Gerard Taitingfong, Silver – Anthony Cruz, P. Blas

125 lb: Gold – Cyril Maravilla, Silver – Leonord Calvo, Bronze – K Quenga

134/143 lb: Gold – J. Villegas, Silver – W.J. Garcia

154 lb: Gold – Edward Calvo, Silver – J.J. Weires

189 lb: Gold – S. Lee, Silver – Kyle Barcinas, Bronze – Vince Charfauros

213 lb: Gold – Ed Dela Rosa, Silver – Ken San Nicolas

Female Division

125 lb: Gold – R Aquino, J. Blas

134 lb: Gold – Mia Aquino

143 lb: Gold – Chanel Salazar, Silver – T. Tom

189 lb: Gold – C Fejeran, Silver – C. Atoigue

PHOTO GALLERY:

JJ Ambros took gold in the 189 lb division. (photo by Asha Robles)

Ethan Aguigui gets his hand raised after winning the 154 lb. division in overtime. (photo by Asha Robles)

Ethan Aguigui avoids being taken down by Isaac Balajadia. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

Competitors battle it out for second and third place. (photo by Asha Robles)

Chanel Salazar gets gold in the Female 143 lb. division. (photo by Asha Robles)

Mia Aquino was dominant all tourney long getting gold in her division. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

The big guys tussle in the absolute division. (photo by Asha Robles)