GuamBJJ:Carbullido&AyuyuAgain

Ayuyu, Carbullido capture gold

3:00 PM, Nov. 8, 2011  |

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Former Guam residents Miguel Ayuyu and Mike Carbullido continue their climb up the ladder of Brazilian jiu-jitsu as the pair recently notched gold medals at the 16th US Open BJJ Tournament that took place on Oct.15-16 in San Jose, Calif.

Competing as blue belts, Ayuyu placed first in the lightweight division and Carbullido topped the medium heavyweight division. The US Open marked the sixth tournament Carbullido has participated in this year and he does not intend to slow down. His sights now are focused on the World Jiu-jitsu No-Gi Championship set for this weekend in Long Beach.

“I want to make it as far as God is willing to take me,” Carbullido said via email from San Diego.

Ayuyu also is preparing for the no-gi championships and added that BJJ has become an integral part of his life. “I’ve been doing jiu-jitsu for six years now and I’ve worked hard to get where I am [so] quitting now would be the worst decision I could make,” Ayuyu said via email.

Just over a year ago the former Carlson Gracie Jr. Academy students and graduates of George Washington High School decided to relocate to southern California in order to pursue their BJJ dreams.

Multiple tournaments and several gold medals later, it appears as if the move has paid dividends. Ayuyu said regularly training with world champions and high-level BJJ players has taught him a lot about the martial art. “Moving to the states has really brought my game to another level,” Ayuyu said.

In addition to receiving top-notch instruction, the deeper pool of competition and frequency of tournaments allows Carbullido more opportunities to test himself. “I’m able to get [into] big, worldwide tournaments easier with me being out here compared to being on Guam,” Carbullido said. “I’m able to concentrate more and train harder.”

The dreams of BJJ glory, however, do not come to fruition without challenges and trials. When asked what the most difficult aspect of constantly training and competing is, Ayuyu simply said, “Bills.”

Motivation

Carbullido added that it wasn’t easy to leave his family and to pursue his dream, but he knows the rewards are worth it. “I always remind myself of all the sacrifices and dedication I’ve put in over the years,” Carbullido said.

“The fact I can’t be with my family and my sister, the fact I can’t eat red rice and deer keleguan whenever I feel like it. All those reasons push me to never give up no matter the struggle.”

Carbullido thanks his mother Pilar, his sister Mikenna and the rest of his family for their support. He also thanks Gabe Baker, Byron Evaristo, Beachwood/Fleetwood San Diego, Nakama Brand, Apparatus Jiu-jitsu, Cars Plus and the people of Guam.

Ayuyu thanks the people of Guam, as well as Baker and Moya Brand