MARIANAS PRO KOREA RETURNS TO SEOUL THIS WEEKEND

PRESS RELEASE – The Guam Marianas Pro Korea Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship has made a historic return to Seoul, delivering record participation, world-class competition, and a powerful demonstration of Guam’s growing influence as a destination for international sports tourism.

Building upon the success of its previous Seoul event in 2024, which attracted more than 500 competitors, the 2026 Guam Marianas Pro Korea Championship achieved unprecedented growth, drawing nearly twice the number of participants and establishing itself as one of the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments currently operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

The remarkable increase in participation underscores the rapid expansion of the Guam Marianas Pro Series and reflects the growing demand for professionally organized, internationally recognized competition opportunities throughout Asia. More importantly, it demonstrates the increasing effectiveness of Guam’s sports tourism strategy, which leverages international athletic events to attract visitors, generate economic activity, and strengthen Guam’s global profile.

As an official Guam Marianas Open qualifying event, the tournament served as a critical gateway to Guam’s flagship Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championships. Athletes from Korea and throughout the region earned valuable ranking points, championship recognition, and qualification opportunities that will bring many of them, along with their coaches, families, and supporters, to Guam in the coming months. The event’s success reinforces the effectiveness of the Marianas Pro Series’ “Road to Guam” model, which strategically connects international qualifying events to premier competitions hosted on Guam.

The approach has successfully transformed the tournament circuit into a regional sports tourism platform that drives visitation while showcasing Guam as a destination for athletic excellence, cultural exchange, and international competition. The momentum generated in Seoul is already producing measurable results. Tournament organizers report a significant increase in registrations and inquiries from Korean athletes interested in competing at the upcoming Guam Marianas Dumau Championship and the Guam Marianas Open International Championship, both scheduled to take place on Guam later this year.

This growing pipeline of international participants represents a substantial opportunity for Guam’s visitor industry. Each athlete traveling to Guam often arrives with coaches, family members, and supporters, creating a multiplier effect that benefits hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, retail establishments, and other local businesses.

“The growth we witnessed in Korea exceeded our expectations and further validates the international appeal of the Guam Marianas Pro Series,” said Steve Shimizu, President of the Marianas Open. “To nearly double participation from our previous event is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the credibility, professionalism, and competitive opportunities that our organization has established throughout the region. More importantly, it demonstrates how sports can serve as a bridge connecting Guam with communities throughout Asia and beyond.”

Shimizu added that the continued expansion of the series reflects a long-term vision of positioning Guam as a premier destination for international martial arts competition. “We are not simply organizing tournaments. We are building an international platform that promotes Guam, creates meaningful economic impact, strengthens regional partnerships, and provides opportunities for athletes of all ages to experience our island and our culture.”

A key component of that success has been the ongoing support of the Guam Visitors Bureau, whose partnership has helped expand the reach of the Guam Marianas Open throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Through its support of the organization’s international initiatives, the Guam Visitors Bureau has helped elevate Guam’s visibility within one of the world’s fastest-growing combat sports communities. The partnership has strengthened Guam’s position as a destination capable of hosting large-scale international sporting events while generating valuable tourism opportunities and global media exposure. The success of Guam Marianas Pro Korea serves as further evidence that Guam-based sporting events can successfully compete on the international stage while producing tangible economic and tourism benefits for the island.

As participation numbers continue to rise and international interest grows, the Guam Marianas Pro Series remains committed to expanding opportunities for athletes throughout the Asia-Pacific region while bringing increasing numbers of visitors to Guam through competition, education, and cultural exchange. With record participation, growing international recognition, and a proven ability to attract visitors from abroad, the Guam .