FOUR WIN TRIP TO COMPETE IN ABU DHABI

By Robert Balajadia

After more than two rounds of rolling and a days worth of trials, four of Guam’s men are heading to the compete in the Abu Dhabi World Championship in April of 2015. Purebred’s Eric Sian and Oliver Cruz, and Carlson Gracie’s Anthony Cruz and Norberto Rosario, fought their way to the top of the Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championships Sunday at the Guam Nikko Hotel.

Sian defeated Kelvin Gentapanan in the finals of the brown/purple belt over-75kg division, Anthony Cruz defeated Mike Sanchez in the brown/purple belt under-75kg division, Norberto Rosario defeated Anthony Limtiaco in the blue/white belt over-75kg, and Oliver Cruz defeated Patrick Flores in the blue/white belt under-75kh.

Winners are getting an all-expense paid trip to compete in Abu Dhabi in April.

Anthony Cruz taking on fellow teammate Jacob Terlaje. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Of the winners, only Rosario and Oliver Cruz were gold medalist winners during the tournaments medal rounds, but Sian, who didn’t have a opponent via weight and Anthony Cruz fought hard through a wealth of talent to earn their ticket.

Cruz got a clutch win over Sanchez, pulling off a clutch sweep in the closing seconds to score the matches only points. Sian was dominant in what was called “The Package Rounds,” and showed complete poise in the last match of the day.

Oliver Cruz defeated Patrick Flores in the gold-medal rounds, and Cruz once again claimed victory in the Package Rounds.

Gold & Exhibition

Though all fighters were competing for the trip to Abu Dhabi, hard work was put on display during the medal rounds with each fighter putting out their best efforts knowing they had another round to go.

Some gold medalist include blue-belt Roman Alvarez of Spike 22, blue-belt Jacob Terlaje, Purebred’s blue-belt Rebecca Tomada, Purebred’s purple-belt David Harris, and brown belt Nathan Santos, Checkmat’s brown-belt JJ Ambrose.

In a special exhibition match, twelve-year-old Jake Ryan Cruz defeated fellow young roller Stussy Shimizu right before the Package Matches. It was the only youth match of the day.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Purple Belt Gold winner Kevin Cruz submits Oscar Ladesma in to capture the top spot. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Stussy Shimizu (black) and Jake Ryan Cruz (white) put on an impressive exhibition match. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Roman Alvarez gets a late advantage to beat Kevin Rivera in the gold medal blue belt match. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

JJ Ambrose takes a look at the scoreboard in a win over Jacob Guerrero. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Jacob Guerrero rolls on top of JJ Ambrose during their gold medal match. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Nathan Santos and Luis Reyes tangle up during their brown belt gold medal match. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Kevin Cruz stretching out the submission to win purple belt gold. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Kevin Cruz sinks in the final submission on Lester Mariano to move into the gold medal match. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

(photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Rebecca Tomada (white) defeats Jayronne Gandaoli (purple) in the blue medal gold match. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)