Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS PRO TAKES ON TOKYO
Lizama shines bright in brown belt division
Francesca Lizama was the star from Guam at the Marianas Pro Tokyo over the weekend.
The brown belt from Purebred Jiu-Jitsu took double gold (lightweight and absolute).
“She made a huge name of herself. She beat one of Japan’s best. She’s a monster,” event promoter Steve Shimizu said.
Shimizu said over 600 grapplers from all over Asia, the Marianas and Brazil took part in the tournament. About 25 athletes were from Guam.
Youth siblings Rio and Lenox Reyes from Figo’ Jiu-Jitsu won gold in their respective divisions.
All three Guam gold medalists went on to win gold the following day in the Asia Jiu-Jitsu Cup held at the same arena in Tokyo.
David Harris won gold in the Marianas Pro black belt, while Anthony Cruz won double gold black belt on Sunday in the AJJC.
Saipan’s Baret Submissions, led by coach Bryan Deleon Guerrero, won the team adult bronze.
“They really shined on this one,” Shimizu said about the Saipan team.
UP NEXT
The Marianas Open takes their mats south of Japan in Nagoya on March 8. Then, Shimizu believes there will be over 60 Guam competitors for that event.
