SAGE CRUZ CLIMBS TO #1 IN THE NATION

What began as humble training sessions at Atos Guam has grown into one of the most inspiring stories in youth combat sports. Brothers Sage and Luck Cruz, who first stepped on the mats under the guidance of Professors Mike Carbullido and Professor Byron Evaristo, have climbed to the very top of the U.S. national rankings. Today, Sage holds the #1 spot in the nation while his younger brother, Luck, has earned the #5 position across all boys’ divisions, ages, and weight classes.

Their journey runs deep into Guam, surrounded by their teammates at Atos, where values of discipline, humility, and hard work were instilled at an early age. What set the Cruz Brothers apart was not only their natural ability but the long hours on the mat in both the kids and adult classes. That foundation has fueled their meteoric rise as athletes representing Guam on the national stage.

“I’m so proud to carry what I learned at Atos with me everywhere I compete.” Sage added about his journey, “It all started back home on those mats training with Coa, Ethan, Tiana, Rylie and my Atos coaches.”

Sage and Luck regularly travel thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean to showcase the strength of Guam’s Jiu-Jitsu culture. Their success extends across multiple combat sports: Sage Cruz is a four-time IBJJF Pan Kids Champion and the current #1 ADCC Youth ranked athlete, defeating past ADCC invitees and national champions. Luck Cruz, a Hawaii State Wrestling Champion in Greco-Roman, Freestyle, and Folkstyle, has also earned multiple Jiu-Jitsu titles, cementing his status as one of the nation’s most versatile youth athletes.

Luck added, “I miss my friends and family in Guam, but knowing I represent everyone back home gives me strength. I want to shoutout Josiah, Colin, Luke, Asher, and all my teammates.”

Professors Carbullido and Evaristo played pivotal roles in shaping the boys’ foundation, mentoring them from their earliest days in the sport. What began in the training rooms of Atos Guam has now grown into national recognition, showing that world-class champions can come from humble beginnings.

The story of the Cruz Brothers is proof that Guam’s combat sports community is building something extraordinary, one that can inspire athletes everywhere to dream big, train hard, and carry their roots with pride.

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