

The moment Ken Carpenter received his black belt from Eduardo Fraga at the Ralph Gracie Academy in Berkeley. (courtesy photo)
By Patrick Lujan
From the top of one sport to the top of another.
Former USA Olympic cyclist Ken Shimizu Carpenter road his way through the belt levels of jiu-jitsu, putting in the grind for over eight years before finally being rewarded with his black belt over the weekend at the Ralph Gracie Academy in Berkeley, CA.
Carpenter received his masters belt from professor Eduardo Fraga.
“I did not expect it,” Carpenter said from his California home. “It was surprising and overwhelming at the same time. It’s a big honor.”
At the young age of 52, the 1988 and 1992 USA Olympian looks back at his jiu-jitsu career and fondly remembers the humble beginnings.
“I had a friend that was into it and I was getting burnt out riding my bike, so I started with a friend who was a collegiate wrestler. We did some privates (with Fraga). My friend was 40 pounds lighter than me and he used to kick my (butt).”
That was the hook at 44-years-old.

Carpenter represented the USA in sprint cycling at the 1988 Seoul Games and 1992 Barcelona Games. He was also the 1987 Pan American Games gold medalist. (courtesy photo)
“The best thing about it is I like it. I enjoy the process so I’ll go do it. It’s essential to enjoy the process whether it’s running, cycling, jiu-jitsu, whatever it is. You have to enjoy the process.”
COMPARING THE SPORTS
“Cycling takes more hours and less intensity and you’re competing by stop watch. I was physically better than most of my counterparts in the U.S. In jiu-jitsu, you can be super strong physically, but technically if you’re not there, it’s not gonna happen. I was able to rely on my physical abilities (in cycling). With jiu-jitsu, it’s a wider playing field and people have different styles and technique. You have to accept that on a given day, your’e going to lose.
“In cycling, the expectation was for me to win always. In jiu-jitsu, I still want to win, but each day is a competition. You have to think and have good technique, be involved and in the moment. If you’re not, you’re going to get beat.”

A sentimental time with grandma Ruth Shimizu prior to her passing a few years ago. (courtesy photo)
Carpenter comes back to visit his Shimizu family and friends every so often. His last visit was during the 2016 Marianas Open.
“It’s time for me to come back.”


GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

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MMA/Boxing
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MMA/Boxing
BENAVENTE BRINGS RARE SKILL TO FIGHT GAME

Jiu-Jitsu
ATOS BRINGS BACK 44 MEDALS FROM JAPAN

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
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Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.