Cuki wants to further promote jiu-jitsu

Trench Tech Gym founder Cuki Alvarez is hoping to attract more youngsters to try jiu-jitsu as he aims to hold several similar events and further promote the sport in the CNMI.

Jiu-jitsu is considered to be the origin of mixed martial arts and derived some of its moves to the Olympic sport of judo. Grappling, throwing, trapping, joint locks and holds are some of jiu-jitsu’s basic techniques.

“Jiu-jitsu is a family oriented sport and we are doing our part here in the CNMI to make the sport grow by hosting tournaments every year,” said Alvarez after the successful staging of Art of War 9: Grappling, Submission and Jiu-Jitsu Challenge last Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex in Gualo Rai.

Roman Alvarez, bottom, and Vince Masga compete in the open weight gi jiu-jitsu event in last Saturday’s Art of War 9: Grappling, Submission and Jiu-Jitsu Challenge at the TSL Sports Complex in Gualo Rai. (Jon Perez)

Lorenzo Attao is one of the rising jiu-jitsu fighters and the 18-year-old did not disappoint as he ruled the Art of War’s flyweight division in his debut in the annual tournament.

The Liberal Arts student at Northern Marianas College, fighting out of Gracie Barra, was the youngest competitor and said he tried jiu-jitsu just to learn self-defense but started to love the sport as the years go by.

“I started at 15 and primarily just for self-defense. It changed the way I look. I learned discipline and gained confidence,” said Attao, who was among the five competitors in the open weight gi division in the Art of War 9.

He was the first one to be eliminated in the win-or-go-home format, but not without giving veteran Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez a tough time as they went the full five-minute time before the former lost on points.

Cuki Alvarez said he is hoping that more youngsters will follow on Attao’s footsteps, as their long-term goal is to have CNMI fighters compete in various international jiu-jitsu tournaments.

“Our goal is to get more interested practitioners and one day have Team CNMI go and represent us in more prestigious events in Guam, Japan, Philippines, and USA.”

The Trench Tech head added jiu-jitsu is the highly technical side of grappling and submission fighting and this was demonstrated by Attao, Shane Alvarez, Vince Masga, Adam Harris and gold medal winner Roman Alvarez in the open weight gi division.

Roman Alvarez won by submission after forcing Harris to tap following a suicide samurai choke. Harris seemed to be in control early in the bout, but Alvarez managed to wiggle out of his hold to turn things to his favor en route to victory.

Alvarez said the suicide samurai choke is very deceptive since it may look like your opponent has control of your back.

“It’s a trap. Your opponent thinks that he has control because he has your back, but when you turn your back on your opponent, you’re actually setting up a deep lapel choke,” said Alvarez, who also thanked various sponsors and fans for continuously supporting Trench Tech’s events.