NORTHERN Marianas athletes returned home with a record haul as 13 young members of Trench Tech Purebred Saipan notched 17 medals from the 2025 Påtgon Jiu Jitsu Tournament held Saturday at UOG Field House in Mangilao, Guam.
Medalists included:
• Jacqueline Iris Quitugua – two silver medals (Gi and No-Gi) in Junior 1 – Male – No Max
• Jerome Camacho Cruz – bronze (Gi) in Junior 1 – Male – White – No Max
• Noel Richard Matagolai Quitugua – silver (Gi) in Junior 2 – Male – White – No Max
• Athena Quitugua Feger – gold (Gi) and silver (No-Gi) in PeeWee 2 – Female – White – 42 lbs
• Jordan Quitugua Camacho – bronze (Gi) in Junior 1 – Male – Grey – No Max
• Justo Jeremiah Quitugua – two silver medals (Gi and No-Gi) in Teen 2 – Male – Grey – 143 lbs
• Trey Manglona – silver (No-Gi) in Teen Division
• Vic Igitol – silver (Gi) and bronze (No-Gi) in Junior 1 Division
• Ava Arriola Igitol – bronze (No-Gi) in Junior 2 Division
• Gerard Naputi – silver (Gi) in Teen 2 – Male – White – 143 lbs and bronze (No-Gi) in Teen 2 – Grey – 143 lbs
• Umatalaf Naputi – bronze (No-Gi) in Junior 1 – Grey – 60 lbs
Coach Cuki Alvarez credited the team’s success to experience and preparation. “This year, we were way more experienced as a whole. The kids who competed in past tournaments were much more confident,” Alvarez said. “Overall, the team did amazing. The energy was high, the competitive atmosphere was incredible, and even a few first-timers medaled!”
Alvarez added that a new game plan helped the athletes approach the tournament both mentally and physically. Out of the 13 competitors, 11 medaled, contributing to the record-breaking total.
He also shared a bittersweet moment: one competitor, Deighton Muna, was disqualified for using a guillotine choke — a legal move in adult competitions but not for kids. “It was a heat-of-the-moment mistake and cost him a medal,” Alvarez explained.
Looking ahead, Alvarez said the team is already preparing for the Marianas Open in Guam this October and expects an even larger roster for the 2026 Påtgon Jiu Jitsu Tournament.
Trench Tech Purebred Saipan’s Trey “King Koa” Camacho Manglona battles for position during his silver-medal match in the No-Gi Teens 116 lbs division of the 2025 Påtgon Jiu Jitsu Tournament on Saturday at the UOG Field House in Mangilao, Guam.
Trench Tech Purebred Saipan’s Jacqueline Quitugua attempts a rear-naked choke during her silver medal match in the Junior 1 female – No-Gi Gray Belt Division of the 2025 Påtgon Jiu Jitsu Tournament, held Saturday at UOG Field House in Mangilao, Guam.
Trench Tech Purebred Saipan team members pose with their medals after the 2025 Påtgon Jiu Jitsu Tournament on Saturday at UOG Field House in Mangilao, Guam.
