Front row, from left: Iris Quitugua – double silver; Jordan Camacho – bronze; Avah Igitol – double bronze; Uma Naputi – silver; Athena Feger- gold and silver; Vic Igitol – silver and bronze; Jerome Cruz – bronze; Deighton Muna; Noel Quitugua – silver. Back row, from left: Gerard Naputi – silver and bronze; Trey Manglona – silver; Justo Quitugua – silver; and Joseph Cruz.
Contributed photo
ASIDE from the 17 individual medals won during the Påtgon Jiu Jitsu Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the UOG Field House in Mangilao, Guam, the 13 athletes of Trench Tech Purebred Saipan also earned five team awards.
Competing across multiple categories and against teams from around the region, NMI’s performance stood out as Trench Tech Purebred Saipan claimed five team awards: 1st in the Junior Gi, 1st in the Junior No-Gi, 2nd in the Peewee Gi, 2nd overall in the Team Gi, and 2nd overall in the Team No-Gi. These team accolades reflected the strong individual performances of the 17 athletes.
Highlights of medal matches:
• Trey Manglona — Silver (No-Gi), Teen Division
Manglona advanced to the finals after winning his semifinal via rear-naked choke. In the championship match, he led on points for most of the bout before falling to a last-minute armbar, settling for silver.
• Jerome Camacho Cruz — Bronze (Gi), Junior 1 Male Division, White Belt, No Max
Cruz displayed exceptional skill in a tough matchup against his twin brother, Joseph Cruz Jr., clinching the bronze medal with a key-lock submission in the final minute.
• Jacqueline Iris Quitugua — Two Silvers (Gi and No-Gi), Junior 1 Division, No Max
Quitugua earned silver in the Gi category with a 9-0 points win, and another silver in the No-Gi category after submitting her opponent with an armbar.
Coach Cuki Alvarez explained that team awards are determined by both the number of competitors and the medals they accumulate, with points tallied across weight classes, age groups, and categories.
“It’s a prestigious award because it shows the dynamic and presence of the team competing,” Alvarez said. “Naturally, if you have more competitors, the chances of winning team awards are a lot higher. As gym owners, we want that accolade, so we encourage our students to compete and win.”
Trench Tech Purebred Saipan also extended thanks to its sponsors: Hinemlo Familia, Sugarking Holdings LLC, XXXClusive Spot, 4EVER CNMI, AA Enterprises Inc., Bravo Restaurant, Chowtime Restaurant, Francine Cruz, Ina’s Kitchen, Kikass Snack Bar, Mar Castro, Mariana Nails, Trench Tech, and Triple J Payless Superfresh.
