GuamBJJOnDeckForTokyoOpen
BJJ raises profile on Guam
At a time when Guam competitive martial arts ventures are soaring and succeeding, a parallel evolution is taking place with Guam Brazilian jiu-jitsu and its development toward bigger ventures.
After three months in preparation for this event, this will be the third time that Guam will be sending a team to the world-recognized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Japan event. After returning with a team bronze medal from last year’s tournament, Purebred will be sending its largest contingent ever to compete in an off-island combat sports tournament. The plan is to compete in every belt color division from white to black.
This year the team will send a good force with a variety of competitors such as MMA recognizable figures Terrence Aflague and Frank “The Crank” Camacho, Guam Olympic wrestler Maria Dunn, BJJ blue belt world champion Eric Sian and prior international event champions Mike Sanchez and Aileen Wong.
After numerous team ventures to off-island tournaments in the Philippines, the Purebred/Lloyd Irvin academy has been targeting the Japan International events as well as the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu World Championships because of the sound infrastructure as well as the international notoriety that come with their BJJFJ sanctioning.
With three months of preparation set aside specifically for this tournament, Purebred had also taken further steps with a one-week instructional with guest instructors from Brazil, multiple and current BJJ world champions Raphael and Guilherme Mendes.
“I feel the timing of the Mendes brothers’ seminar and training workshops was perfect in order to get the team motivated and inspired by their teaching and competition experience,” said Purebred owner Stephen Roberto. “Purebred Jiu-Jitsu Academy Guam will continue to provide the island with the best jiu-jitsu possible in an effort to make Guam shine on the world stage.”
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Along with former Guam resident and gym co-instructor Mike Fowler, Roberto, a longtime BJJ advocate and Guam’s first BJJ black belt, will be leading the way for a group of other hopefuls to the event in Tokyo.
The Mendes brothers took the time to answer some questions after their one-week instructional.
Q: Please give us some thoughts on how it feels to be on top of the world in such a competitive sport at such a young age.
A: We are very happy with how everything has turned out for us, but we need to do many things so we can accomplish our goals. Our objective is to be always be one with God’s path and grace. We believe that success is recognition of one’s training, dedication and faith. We hope to conquer more titles and go farther if it is God’s will.
Q: How do you value BJJ as sport in relation to martial art?
A: Jiu-jitsu is incredible. It allows a person smaller and weaker (to) dominate someone much bigger. In reality, it is very efficient with regard to self-defense and we believe that like other martial arts, it leaves you secure and confident, creating a discipline that is very good.
Q: What are your thoughts on BJJ as in relation to MMA?
A: We believe that jiu-jitsu today is starting on a path that is more professional, with cash prizes and bigger recognition. We hope that this evolution of jiu-jitsu will still continue. MMA right now is more recognized and each time more shown. We believe that both can be pursued as professions as long as you do your best effort and work in whatever area of work you wish. Only good results come to who those who put in the great work needed.
Q: Would you still be training BJJ if you weren’t competing?
A: Yes, we love training, independent of competition. We will still continue training, but always with the same mindset, same focus, to be the best. We believe that this is more important, not just in jiu-jitsu but in life, always in whatever you do try to do it in the best way possible.
Q: Do you have any personal goals you might want to share as students and ambassadors of the art?
A: Our first objective in jiu-jitsu right now is in championships. We want to be champions, we want to have a career of winning and success so we would (be) remembered and recognized for our effort and dedication. Outside the competitions, our objective is to be great individuals, individuals of character that someone can recognize for honesty and good conduct, always teaching the jiu-jitsu that we have learned so that each time our work can be recognized by the world.
Q: How was your Guam trip?
A: We really liked the different places we went to in Guam. We liked a lot of the beaches, which was more beautiful than any others we have been to. We also like the people here in Guam. The people here are very kind and very interested in learning. The food also is really good. We will always remember Guam and we are hoping to return.
Q: Have you heard of Guam before?
A: We knew that the place was a very beautiful place. We had several photos from the Internet, but we were very surprised when we got here since the place is simply marvelous.
Q: Any words for fans of Brazilian jiu-jitsu?
A: Place an objective in your life and follow this always, independent of obstacles that appear in the middle of your path. Have faith in God; with God you can do anything. The tears and darkness can last the entire night, but the brightness will come in the morning.
Visiting BJJ practitioners Ralph Go and Carlo Pena of the Philippines also took some time to be interviewed:
Q: This makes several trips for you guys to Guam. What keeps you coming back?
A: Guam is such a beautiful place. We leave Guam always with a big smile and with a longing to come back. All our Guam trips have been awesome. The people, the food, the place and, of course, the jiu-jitsu community is awesome.
Q: Within the Philippine BJJ community, what is the general understanding of Guam BJJ?
A: Everybody in the Philippine BJJ community know that Guam’s BJJ is top-notch and everyone is very tough here.
Q: What is the direction of VPF?
A: Right now we want to constantly raise the level of BJJ here in the Philippines. We have very big news for the BJJ community here in the Philippines very soon.
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