Yamagishi, Sablan bring home silver and bronze

Jacob Yamagishi and Isaiah Sablan brought home two hardware each—silver and bronze—after their matches in the 2024 Copa De Marianas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi/No-Gi Tournament last Saturday held in the University of Guam Fieldhouse.

Both white belts from the CNMI collected medals in their respective divisions, with Yamagishi entered in the Gi Tournament and winning silver in the Male White Belt Adult Open Weight Division, and bronze in the Male White Adult Light Division.

Yamagishi lost to gold medalist from Heights Academy Guam, Bryant Contreras, and the bronze went to Atos Jiu-Jitsu Guam’s Jackson Sullivan in the Open Division, and in the Light Division, gold went to Atos Jiu-Jitsu Guam’s Sean MacPherson and silver was Contreras.

Sablan claimed silver in the No-Gi Tournament’s Male White Belt Adult Feather Division, and bronze in the Gi-Tournament’s Male White Belt Adult Feather Division.

Sablan of Purebred Jiu-Jitsu fell to gold medalist Atos Jiu-Jitsu Guam’s Sebastian Riley in the No-Gi Tournament, with bronze handed to Guma’s Shovey Matsumoto. In the Gi-Tournament, gold went to Figo’/Bonsai Jiu Jitsu’s Landon Taitingfong and silver was Carlson Gracie Team’s Deondra Fontenot.

For 24-year-old Yamagishi, he had a bad start in the competition by dislocating his shoulder and lost. With gritted teeth and iron-clad determination, he popped his shoulder back in and won his next match via armbar for the bronze medal. He then entered in the 10-man open weight division and won silver.

Yamagishi, of Baret Submissions, said of his winnings, “I was glad I was able to get the finish and bring some medals home.”

The CNMI Department of Labor staff trained almost everyday since last October, with his drive to compete coming from his uncle/coach Bryan Deleon Guerrero, as well as his close friends Jesus and Lorenzo Attao who all have competed and medaled.

As for what’s next for him, Yamagishi said, “After getting bronze and silver, I’m even hungrier than ever for gold. I look to return to Guam in October for the Marianas Open International Tournament.”

He then thanked his family and “my other half for always supporting me and being patient when it came to me training every day late at night. Also big thanks to all the boys who came to train and helped me prepare for the competition, you all know who you are. I’d like to thank my uncle/coach Bryan Deleon Guerrero and master Baret Yoshida for allowing me to represent Baret Submissions. Last but not least I’d like to thank my Guam brother, Rome Cruz, for taking us in to train on Guam, and also stepping in as my coach during my matches.”

After the first competition in the Marianas Pro Series, the next event is in Nagoya, Japan on March 9; Manila, Philippines from April 20-21; Seoul, Korea on June 15; and the finale back in Guam on Oct. 12.