
Guam’s Jay Palacios, living out of Lacey, Washington, won the gold medal of the Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships Black Belt Masters 1 lightweight division on Sunday in Carson, CA. It is his first ever gold medal in the Pan Ams.
He was the lone representative of Team Royce Gracie in the division of 26 fighters. Masters 1 division is for 30-35 years old.
Palacios grew up on Guam and attended Ulloa Elementary and Dededo Middle School before graduating from JFK in 2001. He took up jiu-jitsu after high school when he joined the Army. Ten years later, he was awarded his black belt by none other than Guam friend Master Royce Gracie.
“All my credit goes to my family, friends and Master Royce equally,” Palacios told GSPN. “If it wasn’t for any of them I wouldn’t have become the person I am today.”
As for the Pan Ams, Palacios went through four grueling matches before finally beating Igor dos Santos by points (2-0) in the gold medal match.
“The guy was really tough and strong. I had a hard time disrupting his base but once I figured his base I was able to sweep him and put the pressure.”
He defeated his second opponent by kick stand choke.
“I am blessed to represent Guam,” Palacios exclaimed. “Life is full of challenges, it’s up to us as the individual to make a change. We all want what we want, but do not deserve. It’s up until that time to earn what we deserve! I learned that jiu-jitsu is about the quality of the human being. We must earn that.”


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
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
28th
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL KICKS OFF BUSY 4TH QUARTER SPORTS

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL KICKS OFF BUSY 4TH QUARTER SPORTS
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
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.
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Kobe Miyashita, with St. John’s coach Arvin Flores, was named the 2023 IIAAG Middle School Boys Volleyball MVP!