GUAM KIDS RULE HAWAII GRAPPLING EVENTS

PRESS RELEASE – Guam’s rising Jiu-Jitsu stars have come together as Luck and Sage Cruz were joined by fellow island standouts Ryu, and his younger sister, Akemi Pangelinan, at the NAGA Hawaii Gi and No-Gi Grappling Championships this past weekend. All four athletes secured gold medals, with the 3 boys delivering flawless performances, winning every match by submission in both Gi and No-Gi divisions to claim double gold.

Together, the Cruz and Pangelinan siblings have built a strong training alliance, blending friendship with fierce competitiveness to push each other toward excellence. Both families share deep roots in Guam’s grappling community and a commitment to building character, discipline, and respect through Jiu-Jitsu.

Their momentum carried into the next day, where Luck, Sage, and Ryu competed at the Hawaii Wrestling Middle School State Championships known today as the “Who’s Next Challenge”. Once again, they dominated—each boy winning all his matches and earning a State Title. The back-to-back victories across two disciplines, Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling, highlighted their athletic versatility and championship mindset.

“The boys have quickly become best friends, and now Akemi has not one but three older brothers looking out for her,” said Jesus Cruz, father of Luck and Sage. “They motivate and support one another every day. What they’re building goes beyond competition—it’s about family, and about a shared purpose.”

The partnership between the Cruz and Pangelinan families is built on shared values—hard work, humility, and dedication to the sport. Both families share a strict training regimen, which starts at 5am daily. Training together has elevated each athlete’s technical precision, focus, and confidence as they prepare for international competition.

With Ryu—the IBJJF European Champion, Akemi—the IBJJF Brasileiros Champion, and the Cruz brothers’ continued success at ADCC, IBJJF, and NAGA events, the four are proving that Pacific Island athletes can compete with the best in the world. Each brings a distinct strength—Luck’s explosive pressure, Akemi’s smooth transitions, Ryu’s unbreakable control, and Sage’s fearless aggression—creating an environment where iron sharpens iron.

As they look ahead to major events in 2026, the Cruz and Pangelinan kids continue to represent Guam and Hawaii with pride. Their teamwork, friendship, and shared vision embody the spirit of combat sports and martial arts—unity, perseverance, and respect.