By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Trench Tech Purebred Saipan team left a strong mark on the Marianas Open International Championship 2025 on Oct. 18, as all 12 athletes finished on the podium for a significant medal haul. Saipan and Guam’s Purebred team took home second place overall in the Kids Team Gi division.
The team’s youth fueled the momentum, contributing significantly to the medal count.
Gerard Naputi captured a bronze in the Male White Kid 6 Light Gi division before stepping up to take gold in the No-Gi Male White Kid 6 Light category.
Gabriel Mitchell was a consistent performer, earning a silver in the Male Orange Kid 6 Heavy Gi division and repeating the feat with another silver in the corresponding No-Gi category.
Justo Quitugua had a multi-medal performance, taking silver in the Male Gray Kid 6 Medium Heavy Gi division and bronze in the No-Gi Male Gray Kid 6 Medium category.
Jordan Camacho secured a silver in the Male Gray Kid 4 Super Heavy division.
The girls also joined the spotlight. Jacqueline Quitugua claimed silver in the Female Gray Kid 4 Ultra Heavy Gi division and later picked up a bronze in the No-Gi category.
Aiyani Rios earned silver in the Female Gray Kid 4 Feather Gi division and closed out a consistent weekend with an additional bronze in the Female Gray Kid 4 Light No-Gi category.
Athena Feger contributed silver in the Female White Kid 2 Rooster division, while Umatalaf Naputi added a bronze in the Male Gray Kid 3 Light Feather No-Gi division.
Adult divisions
The team also found success in the adult divisions. Evert Van Der Maas bagged silver in the Male White Adult 18 Middle and bronze in the Open Weight Gi category. He then achieved a significant victory, striking gold in the No-Gi Male White Adult 18 Middle division, showcasing his transition and skill across both competition formats.
Vicente Masga also contributed a bronze medal in the highly competitive Male Brown Adult 18 Feather division.
In the more experienced Gi Masters divisions, team leaders set a formidable example. Cuki Alvarez secured silver in the Male Black Masters 5 Open Weight Class, a performance mirrored by Jose Mafnas Jr., who also earned silver in the Male Purple Master 30 Open Weight Class.
“I am always proud of my team for getting out there and competing,” said Alvarez when asked about the team’s overall performance. He further emphasized the evolving nature of the sport, noting that “Jiu-Jitsu is always evolving, and everyone — both kids and adults — is constantly improving and preparing for competition.”
The coach highlighted the value of experience, regardless of the outcome. “Everyone shined this year in victory and defeat. In victory, they gained more confidence and drive, and in defeat, they gained that burning and yearning desire to improve and get better for the next tournament. This is the core of our mantra: ‘Win or learn!’” Alvarez said, adding that this philosophy ensures his students “walk away from their tournament experience better competitors and better human beings.”
He said the entire team was a standout, recognizing everyone’s impact and contribution. “I believe the team as a whole stood out because we were cheering each competitor on, and that made the team remain steadfast and willing to give it their all — all the time,” Alvarez said.
The team would like to recognize its sponsors and donors, including 4Ever CNMI, AA Ent. Inc., Aiyani Rios, Bravo Kitchen & Bar, Bridgette Camacho, Crowne Plaza Resort, D&Q International Distributors, DC Pro Rental, DLNR-Parks & Rec, Gold’s Gym, Healing Stone, James and Sophia Choi, Lani Diaz, Loco & Taco, Marianas Pacific Distributors Inc., Marlynn Castro, Anthony Torres, Trench Tech Inc., Uma & Gerard Naputi, and the Westbrook family.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
