Luck and Sage Cruz closed out a prolific 2025 grappling campaign with commanding performances at the Junior Officials Middle School Championships on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Sage Cruz, 13 years old and in the 7th grade, captured the Hawaii Boys 94 lbs title with dominant wrestling and flawless mat control. His younger brother, Luck Cruz – still only a 5th grader – moved up in grade level and conquered the Middle School division to become the Hawaii Boys 76 lbs Champion, reaffirming that skill, grit, and preparation can overcome any age or size gap.
The Cruz Brothers, already regarded worldwide as one of the premier sibling duos in youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, showed that their success extends far beyond the Jiu-Jitsu mats. At the championship, both brothers won every match by pin or technical fall, demonstrating a level of dominance rarely seen at this level.
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A Remarkable 2025 Season
This finale caps what is unquestionably one of the most successful years of their young athletic careers.
In 2025, Sage and Luck achieved several major milestones:
• Sage Cruz earned 10 ADCC Open gold medals, climbed to #1 in the world ADCC Youth rankings, and secured multiple national-level podium finishes in wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu.
• Luck Cruz collected 8 ADCC Open gold medals, reached #5 in the world ADCC Youth rankings, and continued his rise as one of the most technically gifted youth competitors in his division.
• Both brothers added Hawaii State Championships in wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, solidifying their status as two of the Pacific’s most accomplished young athletes.
Their collective success across local, national, and international events earned both boys formal invitations to the 2026 ADCC Youth World Championships, one of the most selective and prestigious youth grappling events in the world.
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2026: The Grand Slam Year
With momentum on their side, the Cruz Brothers now set their sights on a historic goal: the IBJJF Grand Slam – a rare accomplishment requiring victories at all three major IBJJF youth championships:
• European Championships
• Brazilian Championships
• Pan Kids Championships
Only a handful of athletes have ever completed the Grand Slam. The Cruz Brothers enter 2026 prepared and motivated to chase this elite achievement together.
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Gratitude to Their Gyms and Coaches
Luck and Sage continue to develop under the guidance of world-class coaching at Atos Guam, Fudoshin Training Center, Island Jiu Jitsu, and FLOW Wrestling Academy. Their family credits each of these programs – and the Professors and coaches who invest deeply in the boys’ growth – for shaping their discipline, technique, and championship mindset.
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As the 2025 season concludes, the Cruz Brothers stand firmly at the forefront of youth grappling – driven, humble, and ready for whatever challenges and opportunities 2026 brings.
