I MAS METGOT EVENT SET FOR OCT 2

By Patrick Lujan

GSPN’s I Mas Metgot Competition is gearing up for another exciting day to determine who is Guam’s Strongman and Strongwoman.

Presented by the Guam Army National Guard, the island’s strongest men and women will battle through six tough events on Sunday, October 2.

Back to defend their 2021 titles are Anthony ‘Big Tone’ Salas and Brittney Pereda.

MEN’S DIVISION

Anthony Salas (defending champion): 32, Yigo, 5-foot-9, 282 lbs.

Ariel Delos Reyes: 37, Dededo, 5-foot-6, 195 lbs.

Tim Nauta: 31, Piti, 5-foot-7, 275 lbs.

Elton Bautista: 35, Dededo, 6-foot-0, 250 lbs.

J.J. Ambrose: 35, Tamuning, 5-foot-9, 180 lbs.

Big Tone has the target on his back after winning the inaugural event. He knows it’s harder to defend than it is to win the first time around.

Delos Reyes was the surprise of the 2021 event, finishing in 2nd place. The Crossfitter proved to be a serious contender and was Salas’ toughest competitor.

Nauta brings back his fierce competitiveness and has lost some weight to improve on his 3rd place finish from a year ago.

Bautista was a spectator last year. While playing around with the giant tire at the Tire Flip event, Elton flipped the massive tire twice. Salas and Delos Reyes flipped it once during competition and the others couldn’t complete one! That earned Bautista an automatic invite.

Ambrose is no stranger to competition and probably dared himself to step up for the Strongman. Everyone knows how fit (Crossfit) and tough (MMA) Superman is, but he’s willing to take on bigger competition for another challenge. One thing is for sure – he doesn’t shy away from anything that would put his mind and body to the test.

WOMEN’S DIVISION

Brittney Pereda (defending champion): 31, Barrigada, 5-foot-5, 230 lbs.

April Flores: 26, Agat, 5-foot-5, 175 lbs.

Jacinta Sumagaysay: 31, Asan, 4-foot-10, 140 lbs.

Tara Lujan: 37, Mongmong, 5-foot-3, 190 lbs.

Miara Leon Guerrero: 31, Barrigada, 5-foot-3, 140 lbs.

Pereda and Flores are the only two returning female competitors and they pushed themselves to a 1-2 finish in 2021. With the inaugural events under their belts, both know what it takes to prepare and execute six events in six hours.

Jacinta Sumagaysay is no stranger to lifting heavy weights. The Guam Army National Guard soldier is a multi gold medal weightlifting champion on Guam, Oceania and the recent Pacific Mini Games. Jacinta was also watching the competition from the sidelines last year. This time she’ll be in the think of things.

Tara Lujan was a long-time training partner of Jacinta and will bring some brute strength to the women’s bracket.

Miara Leon Guerrero will be representing Steel Athletics and brings her Crossfit strength to round out a very formidable women’s competition.

THE EVENTS

Pacific Unlimited CANOE LIFT

IT&E CANOE PULL

Pacific Tyre/CTD TIRE FLIP

Paradise Fitness TOMBSTONE CARRY

Michelob Ultra KEG TOSS

Triple J Ford TRUCK PULL

GSPN is working alongside TASA (Traditions Affirming our Seafaring Ancestry) and incorporating their hand-built canoes and canoe house into the event. TASA will also have other canoes on display for the public to see and learn from.

The winners once again will receive $1000! (see 2021 photo gallery)

On top of the Guam Army National Guard and the event sponsors, we are grateful for other community contributors such as: Bank of Guam, Acai Roots, Mobilize Sports, Ajisan Ramen Restaurants, Fokai, Community First Credit Union, The Guam Daily Post, LMS, No Ka Oi, Wendy’s, Coffee Slut, Island Tinting, Paradise Auto Spa, Mighty Purple, The Radio Stations of Star 101/The Boss/The Point, Health City and Bout It Productions and Tren Heads.