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.