MARIANAS PRO HONG KONG DEBUTS THIS WEEKEND

PRESS RELEASE – Supported by the Guam Visitors Bureau, the Guam Marianas Pro Hong Kong will make its debut on July 19 at Kellett School in Kowloon, marking the tournament’s first-ever event in Hong Kong. With registration now closed, organizers report more than 500 entries, setting the stage for another full house and further establishing the Guam Marianas Open as the premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament series in the Pacific region.

This Hong Kong showdown marks the final stop of the Guam Marianas Pro series — and the stakes have never been higher. As the last chance for athletes to punch their ticket, all eyes now turn to the Guam Marianas Open International Championship, set for October 24-25 on Guam, where the champions crowned across every stop of the Pro series will finally collide on one mat to settle who reigns supreme.

The championship also continues to demonstrate the growing role of sports tourism in Guam’s visitor economy. By attracting athletes, coaches, officials, and families from around the world, the Guam Marianas Open generates overnight stays, restaurant spending, transportation use, and other visitor activity that benefits local business.

“We anticipate over 1,000 athletes, spectators, and family members,” said Steve Shimizu, President and CEO of the Guam Marianas Sports Jiu Jitsu Federation. “Registration is already climbing, and based on what we’re seeing, about 80 percent of participants are traveling from more than 20 countries across Asia, South America, Malaysia, and the United States. These are tangible and very significant numbers that show just how much a prestigious tournament can draw people from across the world.”

Organizers also credited the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) for its continued partnership in growing the event, along with Ready H2GO, the tournament’s official hydration sponsor, for keeping every athlete fueled and performing at their best on the mat.

“We want to thank GVB for the partnership,” Shimizu said. “We hope to continue building Guam’s biggest BJJ tournament — and now one of the biggest sports tourism platforms on the island. And a huge thank you to Ready H2GO for keeping our athletes hydrated and ready to compete at every stop of this series.”

The tournament’s growing digital reach reflects that momentum. The Guam Marianas Open’s Instagram account has generated more than 3 million views from Southeast Asia, South America, and the United States. This highly engaged following underscores Guam’s status as a premier BJJ championship destination. Athletes know they must first qualify through regional tournaments to earn the opportunity to compete in championship play on Guam. That qualification pathway gives practitioners throughout the region something to aspire to while reinforcing the prestige of competing in the Guam Marianas Open. “The viral reach of the Guam Marianas Open Instagram account is fueling excitement and reinforcing Guam’s reputation as a regional hub for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” Shimizu said. “There are so many opportunities that already draw huge numbers of practitioners in other countries, and with the Guam Marianas Open series, we are definitely the next destination for that market and those athletes.”