DOC chief Torres is newest Trench Tech instructor

Department of Correction Commissioner Anthony Torres, the first Chamorro to ever fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is the newest instructor at Trench Tech Gym.

Trench Tech owner and fellow black belt Justis “Cuki” Alvarez welcomed Torres and said the local mixed martial arts scene is lucky to have Torres in the fold.

“Anthony Torres brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Trench Tech with his experience in training with some of the best fighter-athletes in the world as well as numerous high-profile black belts in Hawaii and Arizona while he lived there. This is a huge plus for Trench Tech and his knowledge in the arts is a great way for our academy to diversify our training and allow students to broaden their skillset working with different black belt instructors,” he said.

Torres said it’s indeed an honor and a privilege to be a part of Trench Tech and what Alvarez is trying to build in the local MMA community.

“He is a great instructor and pioneer of the sport here in the Northern Marianas. On top of my demanding and busy schedule, I chose to be an instructor at Trench Tech, because I wanted to give back to our people and share my knowledge to help build our MMA and jiu-jitsu community here in our islands. Additionally, engaging as an instructor keeps me mentally and physically fit. It’s also an opportunity to build relationships with my students, maintain a work-life balance, helps me further develop my leadership skills, communication abilities, which directly translates to my role as a public servant. Ultimately, it provides me a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle that nurtures both my professional and personal growth not just as a leader, but as a human being committed to a lifetime of self-improvement.”

Alvarez said at Trench Tech, the Corrections chief will run their NoGi Monday classes from 8pm to 9pm.

“Anthony is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has been training for over 18 years. He was also the very first Saipan-born Chamorro to make it to the UFC.”

Torres said his vision and goal as an instructor at Trench Tech is to impart and instill a sense of balance between his students’ physical training and mental well-being.

“I want to encourage them to focus on continuous improvement in their skills, technique, and overall performance, while emphasizing the importance of dedication and hard work. I also want to teach them the value of grit, resilience, and mental toughness in facing challenges both inside and outside of competition enhancing their emotional intelligence, and help them develop a strong growth-mindset to overcome setbacks and stay focused on the goal.”

Torres said another of his goals is to teach his students the importance of respect and humility and encourage them to compete with honor, win or lose.

“I want to help them set clear, achievable goals both in their MMA or BJJ career and personal life; and teach them the value of teamwork and the sense of community by encouraging them to support and uplift their peers. By focusing on these goals and visions, I believe we can develop these young practitioners not only as skilled athletes, but also as well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of their sport and life with confidence and determination. Ultimately, I want to help create and mold future great leaders in our Commonwealth,” he said.

With Torres onboard, Trench Tech Gym now has three certified black belts counting Alvarez and Clinton Dela Cruz. Aside from the Monday 8pm-9pm classes Torres is teaching, there is also NoGi grappling class every Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 8pm.