Team Guam Shines at BJJ Pan Asian

Guam continues to cement its status as one of the region's leaders in Brazilian jiu jitsu and submission grappling.

Grapplers from Guam won a gold medal and trophy in the no gi (submission grappling) tournament and a bronze in the team competition for Brazilian jiu jitsu at the Third Annual Pan Asian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling Tournament May 12 and 13 at the Mall of Asia in the Philippines.

Approximately 1,000 spectators witnessed the largest regional submission grappling and sport jiu jitsu tournament to date.

Grapplers out of Purebred Jiu Jitsu Guam, The Pound Jiu Jitsu Academy, Carlson Gracie Academy and Cobra Kai Jiu Jitsu competed in alliance as Team Guam with the synergy that would earn them the bronze medal on May 12 and the gold medal and trophy on May 13.

Joe Cruz walked away with the Most Technical award in the May 12 competition, and Joe Taimanglo earned the Most Technical trophy on May 13 with impressive submissions over larger opponents in the open weight division.

Mike Fowler gave up over 60 pounds yet defeated UFC veteran and fellow Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt Anthony Perosh in a special bout in the Philippines' first-ever BJJ black belt match.

Despite coming from the smallest population in the region among countries that participated in the event, Guam was able to earn numerous and repeated victories over representatives from Bangkok, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Taiwan.

Guam's repeat performances in the fast-growing tournament has been sending ripples throughout the grappling populations in Asia, further legitimizing Guam as the region's rising leader in Brazilian jiu jitsu and submission grappling competition.

Terrence Aflague, Ryan Bigler, Luis Blanco, Cruz, Patrick Fleming, Fowler, Joshua Poblete, Mike Sanchez and Taimanglo were able to walk away with gold medals in their respective divisions. Other representatives from Guam followed closely behind with numerous silver and bronze medals.

Guam's Grasshopper Inc. was also a sponsor for the event.

Source: www.guampdn.com