7 off to Guam for jiu-jitsu tourney
Trench Tech Purebred Gym will be sending seven of its young’uns to the Påtgon (Kids) Jiu-Jitsu Tournament in Guam this weekend.
Sensei Justis “Cuki” Alvarez said the seven making the journey to the southern end of the Marianas chain are white belts Deighton Muña, Uriah “Wolfie” Sablan, Aiyani Magofna Rios, and Tate Manglona and grey belts Reide Travilla, Iris Quitugua, and Trey Manglona.
Tate Manglona will be making his secomd Påtgon (Kids) Jiu-Jitsu tourney and will compete in the gi/no-gi divisions.
“I will give it my all! It’s an amazing feeling to represent the CNMI. My goal is to always win a medal for my family and team, but like they say, its either you win or you learn. It’s an honor to compete against some of the greatest kids in the Marianas,” said the 11-year-old.
Trey Manglona, meanwhile, will be making his third go-around and he will see action in the teens gi/no gi divisions
“It’s always exciting to compete against some of the most skilled Marianas warriors. I look forward to representing the CNMI, Trench Tech Purebred Gyn, and my family. No matter the results, I will come back better.”
Also making her third stint in the tourney is 8-year-old Quitugua and she said her goal in the Påtgon Jiu-Jitsu tourney “is to do my best and be confident and win!”
Ten-year-old Travilla is the veteran of the group as it’s her fourth time in the tourney. She’s also excited to compete in Guam.
“I am pumped to be competing again at the Påtgon Jiu-Jitsu tournament alongside my Trench Tech Purebred team. No matter the outcome of the tournament, it will be a learning experience and I am excited to do my best, have fun, and represent the CNMI.”
Six-year-old Muña, meanwhile, will be making his debut in the Påtgon (Kids) Jiu-Jitsu tourney this weekend.
“I feel like I am happy to try it. I think my goal is to just do my best and do it again.”
Like Muña, the tourney will also be 6-year-old Sablan’s first time competing and he will do so in the peewee division.
Another first-timer is Rios who will compete in the no gi 60 lbs and gi 67 lbs. “I feel extremely excited, happy, and grateful for the opportunity to compete. I also feel confident I would do great!”
Tate Manglona, left, in action in a recent jiu-jitsu tournament
Iris Quitugua
Aiyani Magofna Rios
Uriah “Wolfie” Sablan
Reide Travilla
Trey Manglona, left, in action in a recent jiu-jitsu tournament.
