COPA DE MARIANAS PULLS GUARD AT FIELD HOUSE

By Paradis Jolie Fejerang

The Marianas Open has begun its 2025 tour as of today with the Copa de Marianas: Road to Japan in the University of Guam’s Calvo Field House. The international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments follow a circuit that will continue on in various locations throughout Asia and conclude back on Guam on October 18. 

This year’s Copa de Marianas introduced a new award to be given to an athlete who has excelled within the local jiu-jitsu community. This inaugural Marianas Open Guam Athlete of the Year Award has been presented to Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy’s Anthony Cruz. The Black Belt Athlete of the Year has medaled 19 times since 2012, an impressive feat explained by Marianas Open organizer Steve Shimizu as Senator Jesse Lujan presented the award to Cruz. 

Cruz went on to capture the day’s black belt open gold medal gi division.

Winning this award, Cruz will also be receiving multiple other complimentary prizes alongside his customized trophy. As for future athletes to attain this award in their respective coming years, Cruz will have fully covered expenses for entry to all Marianas Open/Pro tournaments in 2025, including airfare expenses, as well as quarterly gi sponsorship. 

Marianas Open was seen in the inclusion of FSM Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu joining the tournament for the first time ever, with Shimizu extending his thanks and hope that the Federated States of Micronesia continue to grow with Guam’s jiu-jitsu community in the coming years. 

As always, the start of each circuit sees many fresh faces in white belts entering their first ever tournament. Most eagerly, the youth finding their footing in the sport have placed the Copa de Marianas as a fun starting point for discovering the thrill of winning their first medal and adjusting to the competition environment. 

The tournament also welcomed 20 athletes from the FSM.

Gi Results: https://asjjf.org/main/eventResults/1647

No-Gi Results: https://asjjf.org/main/eventResults/1648