FokaiFamilia:EnsonInoue

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50HCI4cvM2Q

Sinanganta:March27th

ONRA:February26th,2009

Hafa Adai,

 

This past weekend’s Marianas Open was once again a great success for the island. . Even without the oversight of former Guam resident and BJJ BlackBelt notable, Mike Fowler, the event moved forward to not only showcase and examine local talent but to also present some new champions to remind us that achievement has no prejudice. Team Purebred/LloydIrvin, The Spike22Academy, CarlsonGracieBJJ, GuahanTopTeam,The Pound, GracieBarra, and TheGuahanWarriors. In an industry once dominated by a single gym and discipline, we now find champions in all corners of the island and among fighter athletes of different style preference. As we have matured as fans of the sport, even as competitors, the respect for the sport has taught us how to applaud performance, even if it comes from the opposing team.

 

Reflecting on the past where Brazilian Jiujitsu had completely dominated other Martial Arts in NHB competition; The evolution of  competitive martial arts is continuing to reveal the assets of athletic development  and the assets of other different disciplines in the highly competitive environment of MMA. Competitive success in MMA is defined far beyond, any single name, discipline, or legacy. Somebody once mentioned that hardwork rides shotgun with victory. It doesn’t take anyone special to realize the truth in this; this reality is best displayed in the growingly difficult realm of combat sports.

 

To be honest with you, in life and in combat, I am a big believer in BrazilianJiujitsu. I dont think that any other single martial art offers that type of understanding. But as professional MMA grows into adolescence; as we continue to support and observe our increasing variety of combat sports events, we are finding that now our BJJ Exclusive guys don’t necessarily always perform so well in MMA ,Submission Grappling, etc. and our MMA Giants might not always perform so well in BJJ or Submission Grappling, etc.

 

But why waste s much time trying to argue which art is better or why my trophy is better than your trophy, when we are better off finding the time to join in toast for the sincere pursuit of achievement and the sacrifices paid along the way.

 

The economic difficulties we are facing in the world today is sure to bring us some adversity in days tomorrow. Regardless of skill level, regardless of style preference, Hopefully the qualities we might discover in the pursuit of this or any other achievement(s) will serve contagious– so that the mindset we have developed to control,defeat, or withstand opponents will provide us with the tools in strategic thinking and spiritual and mental toughness to maneuver ourselves ethically through the hills and valleys of life to ultimately discover —the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

 

Thanks for dropping by.

FokaiYouthCombatDivision:ByronCabaccang

RestInPeace:ChiefJusticePOPSTaylor

StateOfTheArt:GovernorFelixCamacho

Onra:February12th,2009

Hafa Adai,

 

Before anything else, lets join the Martial Arts world to take  a sincere pause to bid the final farewell to GracieJiujitsu pioneer and one of the greatest Martial Artists of all time, Helio Gracie,  who passed away in January at the tender age of 95 on January 29.

Most of what we now know in professional and competitive WorldJiujitsu and MMA, we owe to this man and his undying pursuit of truth. Thank you for showing the way.

 So far its been a pretty exciting year for Marianas Mixed Martial Arts. Setting things off—in probably Guam’s best performance in international  MMA overseas, Jesse Taitano brings Guam one step closer to an established professional MMAworld championship title as he fought Professional Shootos Undisputed 56kg. Champion, Shoichi Kojima to a decision draw in a non-title semi main event bout in Japan. And new word has arrived for details in the next coming weeks that Guam will be fighting for 2 event championship titles in the Philippines before summer. Guam takes the lead in Marianas MMA in January going 4-0 with victories in a  partial Guam vs. CNMI card in another full-house event at the WorldResort  with Saipan’s RitesOfPassage6: Conviction. The next CopaDeMarianas Jiujitsu and Submission Grappling tournament  is coming up next Saturday on the 21^{st athThephoenixCenter}  . PXCLive will be in service for our brothers and sisters in the military with an interesting theme for their next show on the 28^th. Saipan has set the date and a standing invitation to grapplers from Guam  for their All-Island Submission Grappling tournament, The ArtOfWar3,for March 14^th.

And Guam goes from the hills to the valley hearing that, for reasons unknown, Joe Duarte has announced on the ShoyorollForums that he is no longer scheduled for Guams debut into the UFC big show in March.

 In more less than happy news, Mike Fowler of Team Purebred Lloyd Irvin has given his ,hopefully temporary, adios to the islands returning to Washington DC to push hard for a BJJ BlackBeltWorld Championship title.

 In further disappointment, controversy surrounds the epic rematch in UFC94:Undisputed between a local favorite, BJ Penn and his brutal defeat under the hands of Georges St.Pierre in a scandal that has been now dubbed as Vaseline Gate  details on www.bjpenn.com. Regardless, much respect to St.Pierre for a brilliant game plan and his first class posture as a Mixed Martial Artist  in such an outstanding performance. But what can I say, Ima believer…BJ all the way!

 All these dark moments just discussed brings memories back of a principle in Martial Art known as Ukemi. Im honored to be able to say that, although not for so long,  ive put some quality time on the mat training Aikido and Judo.  Despite all the wonderful things these arts have to offer  I gotta tell you that theres a whole lot of falling down going on. 

 In accumulation, You get thrown thousands of times in the dojo because you want to avoid being thrown even once anywhere else…Interesting. Well, after being on the receiving end of mountains of hip throws, clotheslines, and submission holds in the pursuit of trying to learn how to fight , you come to understand that, among other things, Ukemi is not just the practice of falling its also about not being afraid to fall, and to move forward withthe mindset  of getting back up with dignity.

 And in body, mind, and spirit—coming back for more.

The Spirit of Helio Gracie Lives On. Joe Duarte will continue to fight. Im sure opportunity is waiting for him somewhere.ThePurebred/LloyydIrvin Academy is as always, in 3rd Gear.MikeFowler wil continue tol let the world know of our  islands. And believe that BJ Penn will raise his hand in the Octagon again.

Thanks for dropping by.

ONRA:January29th,2009

Hafa Adai,

 

What an outstanding week for Marianas Mixed Martial Arts. Setting things off—in probably Guam’s best performance in international  MMA overseas, Jesse Taitano brings Guam one step closer to an established professional MMAworld championship title as he fought Professional Shootos Undisputed 56kg. Champion, Shoichi Kojima to a decision draw in a non-title semi main event bout in Japan. And new word has arrived for details in the next coming weeks that Guam will be fighting for 2 event championship titles in the Philippines before summer. Guam takes the lead in Marianas MMA this past weekend going 4-0 with victories in a  partial Guam vs. CNMI card in another full-house event at the WorldResort  with Saipan’s RitesOfPassage6: Conviction.

 

On the same day, internet junkies on island were treated to a live feed of some of the years best fights online featuring , among other things, another explosive performance victory by the last emperor, Emelianenko Fedor, very arguably the worlds most formidable MMA fighter to date.

 

A whole lot of exciting things are happening for this industry. The sport itself is enroute to succeeding over boxing, if not already, as the worlds premier professional combat sport. As evidenced with holding the famed Donald Trump’s partial alliance with OscarDelaHoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in this past weekend’s successful event Affliction:DayOfReckoning.

 

TheProdigy

 

Gotta give it up to the island boys for venturing out into world MMA and finding success in such a growingly difficult arena and industry. The stone of the land is in our bones and the surge of the sea is in our blood. For today, in this light, we throw our hands up for perhaps, the greatest fighting islander of all time, our chelu and bradda, The Prodigy BJ PENN.

 

This weekend UFC’s  BJPenn vs Georges St. Pierre is going to be one for the books and will be every bit as epic in battle for them as it will be entertainment for the tens of millions in anticipation for what is popularly being built up as the greatest  fighter matchup in a very exciting history of Mixed Martial Arts.

 

GUAM vs. HAWAII?

 

Several events on Guam have pitted fighter athletes from Hawaii to compete agains our locals in matches that have been highlighted as Hawaii vs. Guam. However the violent exchanges in competition, have been overshadowed by an aftermath of sportsmanship and hospitality that have brought us even closer together in camraderie as Pacific islanders dedicated to the legacy of this sport and entertainment of this wonderful and dynamic industry.

 

By far, BJ Penn is not Chamorro or Guamanian; but all the blood, sweat, and tears that we have spilled between our Pacific  islands through MMA,amng other things,  have taught Guam to embrace Penn as one of our island heros and as a fighting icon to not just Hawaiians, but Pacific islanders everywhere.

 

So , if as athletes, we might try to follow his path to MMA immortality, hopefully we also can learn from his example (check www.BJ Penn.com) that fighting islanders can make a difference inside and outside of the industry.

 

GO BJPenn!GoHawaii!Guam is in your corner.

 

Thanks for dropping by.

 

SpiderManDraws WithShootoWorldChampion

TAITANO DRAWS WITH SHOOTO WORLD CHAMPION

On January15th, Jesse “SpiderMan” Taitano flew with a support crew of 8 friends and training partners from Guam for his biggest opportunity to date in Mixed Martial Arts competition. ON January 18^th, Taitano fought at the DifferAriake Hall in Tokyo against Professional Shootos Undisputed 56kg World Champion Shoichi”BJ”Kojima.

With Taitano’s impressive performance last year against number one 56kilo contender  Yasuhiro Urushitani, further attention was raised among Japan event promoters to Guam’s flourishing talent in the MMA industry.

 

PROFESSIONAL Shootos decision to solicit Taitano for competition proved to be fruitful as SpiderMan once again shocked the audience by dropping the World Champion with a left hook not even 2minutes into the first round that again had the normally silent crowd in applause for the underdog competitor.. Stopping all takedown attempts by the applauded Freestyle Wrestler, Taitano was eventually taken to the ground still to be the aggressor as he controlled Kojimas hands and attacked endlessly with a series of strikes from the bottom . Showing no weaknesses from a normally dangerous position. Taitano takes the first round by all judges.

 

Round 2. A flurry of punches from a raged Kojima was met with an equally aggressive counterattack by Taitano with a standing exchange that once again sent the crowd. Despite landing a few good legkicks, Kojima, apparently realizing that he was down in points, used his wrestling to stop Taitano’s domination on his feet by pinning Taitano against  the cage and trying to earn points with small rabid punches that did little damage t a very determined Taitano. With only four seconds left, Kojima finally scores a takedown. With Taitano still in the fight, the bell rings with the end results having two judges determine the fight a draw while a third gave the fight to Taitano.

 

Quite impressively,With techniques and training 100% Homegrown, (Taitano has never trained abroad like many of Guams other accomplished MMA fighter athletes) Jesse Taitano just drew with Professional Shootos World Champion.

As an underdog with yet another impressive performance, Taitano earns the respect of the audience, Professional Shooto, and again the Guam fans.

Here is an interview with “SpiderMan” after Guams most impressive performance to date in competition in World Mixed Martial Arts.

 

(INTERVIEW)

WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS BEFORE THE FIGHT?

I tried to keep my mind positive and remind myself that Im at this level. I was trying to come up with a game plan but in the end was just concerned how I could come out at 100%. I should mentin too that there were A lot of signs ,Some inspiring coincidences, that gave me confidence in good results.

AFTER THE FIGHT?

First, I am very grateful for the opportunity to fight the champ. I did good. I felt I didn’t have enough rest and in effect held back abit though to be honest with you. But maybe he did too. Coming in at 100% is not always so easy. I felt the World Champions power! Im very grateful to my partners for preparing me for this. And very grateful for the crew that came out to support me. Guam boys can rock! Im happy to bring good news back to my island and to all my support.

 

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE CONSIDERED A TOP CONTENDER IN SUCH AN
INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED ORGANIZATION?

It feels awesome. I feel it brings honor to my family, my training partners, my island,my students, my sponsors. It’s a really good nfeeling to make them proud and to bring legitimacy, recognition, and hopefully more opportunity to the island.  I want to help harness MMA for more good things inside and outside of competition.

 

WITH A POSSIBLE WORLD TITLE SHOT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WHAT ADJUSTMENTS ARE YOU MAKING IN PREPARATION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY?

Im trying to figure out the science of showing up at 100%. Im going to adjust my time management and leverage things to work MMA full time. Looking back at old fights, I can see a lot of holes in my game. Its time to fix those holes. Im going to try to find people to puswh me beyond myself. And try to sharpen my skills in every single aspect f the game. Id like to evolve with Nutrition and rest too. Basically work hard but train smarter. Im going to work to be my best person inside and outside of competition.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AS A PROFFESIONAL FIGHTER?

Id like to be able to use MMA as a source for income and approach it as a full time job. Id love to be able to support my family with this passion. And t eventually use any influence I might gain to leverage opportunities for my island and students.

AFTER YOUR REPEATED EXPOSURE TO WORLD MMA COMPETITION< WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR LOCAL ASPIRING FIGHTERS?

Believe in yourself. Your opponent is always beatable abut so are you. Train hard. Train smart. Experiment with new things. And most importantly, keep learning.

After his second outstanding performance in Japan MMA, Taitano was friendily encountered by Shooto legend and an impressive 6year reign as the 56kg Shooto World Champion, MamoruYamaguchi.

 

“So When are WE going to fight?” he emphatically asked Taitano.

Before posing for photos, and a sincere hug and laughter, he enthusiastically replied “Anytime!”

 

For the moment, An established  MMA world title is closer than ever. Should that day come for Taitano and for Guam, after a few adjustments in training and living, In full confidence, and aiming at 100%, SpiderMan will be ready.

 

 

Interview:TheISAInitiative

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/fudo.html

I was sure that I was given 8 ISA shirts by August 17.
All of my family were so glad that we went to that Fire-GOD ( Meguro Fudo) on August 18.

So, I said ARIGATOH to the GOD, and prayed that
anyone who wear, the shirt will have happiness to all of them.

I often wear the shirt, and hanging in the room, when I sleep at every
night. I don’t know what it is, but I feel some power from the Gold ring.

I saw Yoshiko-san in GUAM, she brought the special encountering. ISA could
see you, and MIWA-san, too. These are not by accident. GOD do exist, and
Miracle do exist. Wish come true, right?

About FOKAI art:

Before he draws this image, ISA  went to pray to MEGURO FUDOH (Japanese
Fire’s GOD). of-course, with me and my mother, and I took some FUDO-sama
photos. and he drawn this image.

The purple-colored character on FUDO’s head is said “BONJI” in Japanese.
Generally, BONJI is written by buddhist monk(high priest).
We believe this character will guard him from injury and bring about win.

With love
Yuko SHIMIZU (ISA’s mother)

ISA was born on June 15, 1994 in Japan.

His real name is ?????.

He cannot do conversation from the infancy, and the family doctor diagnosed him as autism at the age of 5 years old. It was very hard for him to associate with a person and did not have friends. So his father gave a PC to become his friend. He continues writing pictures every day, and the number of pictures is beyond 1,500 cases now. His picture has a unique atmosphere and charms the person who watched it and heals them. A teacher of his nursing found the picture which he drew on the corner of the notebook at the age of 11 years old him. The teacher liked his picture very much, and she introduced his picture with her blog for many times. Afterwards, when he and his family took a trip to Guam, they met a person concerned of the FOKAI brand by chance. Because he liked pictures of ISA, FOKAI sold the T-shirt which printed his picture. He was able to hold a small private exhibition recently. We believe that you also surely love his picture.

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