By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
IN the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku’s onslaught, the CNMI has been left reeling, facing a landscape of downed utility poles and shattered infrastructure. But behind a glass door in a home gym that has seen 13 years of sweat, blood, and fighting island spirit, the heart of the islands’ combat sports scene remains unbroken.
For Cuki Alvarez, founder of Trench Tech, Sinlaku was not just a storm he read about in reports — it was a front-row spectacle of destruction.
While most of the island hunkered down in windowless shelters, Alvarez and his wife monitored the storm’s fury from their back door overlooking the gym facility.
“We were actually able to witness the damage and destruction taking place during the storm,” Alvarez said. “We literally watched the winds and rain rip through everything.”
Despite the terrifying visuals, the Trench Tech team was prepared. Having weathered Typhoons Soudelor and Yutu, Alvarez had already implemented a rigorous heavy-weather preparation plan. Before the first winds of Sinlaku arrived, the “Trench Crew” secured vital gear, rolling up the main mats and moving equipment into adjacent, stable storage rooms.
While many local businesses are facing major structural overhauls, the Trench Tech gym emerged from the storm remarkably intact. Alvarez credits this not only to the building’s reinforcements but also to the intangible energy of the athletes who call it home.
“I have always told our students that, for the past 13 years the gym has been in operation, all the Fighting Island Spirit, power, and energy from each and every member who has trained there have strengthened the gym and made it indestructible,” Alvarez said.
The damage report for the facility is surprisingly light: minor gutter replacements and a few small cracks. Compared to the devastation seen across the rest of the island, the gym fared very well, according to Alvarez.
The structure may be ready, but the reopening of the dojo remains tied to the island’s utility recovery. Alvarez is waiting for the restoration of power and water before officially reopening for classes. In the meantime, he has opened the mats for “open mat” sessions, providing a much-needed outlet for athletes to release pent-up energy and frustration.
Perhaps most encouraging for local fight fans is the status of upcoming events. Despite islandwide recovery efforts, the combat sports calendar remains unchanged.
“As of this moment, nothing changes,” Alvarez said. “Ring of Fire 4 is still set for late July. Set goals. Follow through!”
As the community clears debris and rebuilds, Alvarez’s focus remains on the “warrior” within the local community. He urged students and supporters to prioritize their families, noting that the Trench Tech family remains in constant contact through group chats.
In a final shout-out to first responders, CUC workers, and volunteers, Alvarez summed up the spirit of the CNMI combat sports community:
“We are Fighting Islanders. This is what we do. We get knocked down, we get up, dust ourselves off, and soldier on,” he said.
For the students waiting to return to the mats, the message is clear: “The doors will be open soon, and the Fighting Island Spirit is stronger than ever.”
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.
