Gabriel Mitchell, center, poses with his newly earned juvenile white/orange belt alongside instructors Cuki Alvarez and Steven Roberto during a BJJ class at the Trench Tech gym.
The belt promotees — Kier Agda (Purple), Isaiah Sablan (Blue), Giovanni Taitinfong (Purple), Jason Artero (Blue), Mariana Alvarez (Blue), and Mike Atoigue (Brown) — pose for a photo with Coach Rey Kim during a BJJ class at the Trench Tech gym on Thursday.
SEVEN Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students of Trench Tech have been promoted to new belt colors for their consistency, hard work, and perseverance.
Promoted from white to blue belt were Jason Artero, Isaiah Sablan, and Mariana Alvarez; promoted from blue to purple belt were Giovoni Taitingong and Kier Agda; promoted from purple to brown belt was Mike Atoigue; and promoted from juvenile white to orange/white belt was 14-year-old Gabriel “Gabel Grip” Mitchell.
“They [the promotees] have dedicated their time and energy in the last few years every four to five days a week to train and enhance their skills and techniques in the art of Jiu Jitsu, and all have grown and shown improvement in their physical and mental development all around — not just in the gym but in life in general,” said instructor Cuki Alvarez. “We felt it was time to reward them for all their hard work and the sacrifices they chose to make in order to become a better version of themselves in their BJJ journey. Each reached it, and it shows in the mat culture at the gym. They have all earned and reached their little milestones along the way,” Alvarez added.
“We have also become closer as a team and we will continue to help build each other up, and help each other climb the ranks in the years to come,” he said.
Professor Steven Roberto, owner of Purebred schools and chains in Guam, and the teacher of Alvarez and Frank “The Crank” Camacho, traveled to Saipan for the belt promotion ceremony at Trench Tech.
