
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











GPS Sports Calendar
February 2025
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
Events for January
1st
LEGACY SPIKEFEST TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
Events for February
1st
Events for February
4th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
H.S. TENNIS
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
5th
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
H.S. RUGBY
Events for February
6th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
7th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
SINDALU NINJA GAMES
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
Events for February
9th
Events for February
11th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
Events for February
15th
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
Events for February
15th
Events for February
16th
Events for February
18th
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA H.S. TENNIS
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
20th
ISA H.S. TENNIS
FIBA BASKETBALL: GUAM VS. MONGOLIA
Events for February
21st
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL
H.S. RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for February
22nd
H.S. RUGBY
H.S. GIRLS SOFTBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for February
23rd
Events for February
25th
ISA H.S. TENNIS
H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL

Volleyball
BOYS BEACH VOLLEYBALL HEATS UP
