Trench Tech’s head coach Cuki Alvarez with Drey Aldan, Jessica Ma, Noah Quitugua, Daryn Roufs, and team manager Mariana Alvarez.
Contributed photo
TEAM Trench Tech made sure they left their mark in Japan, as three of their five athletes returned home with medals from the Asian Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2025, held June 19-22 in Osaka.
The medalists were Jessica Ma, Noah Quitugua, and Daryn Roufs.
According to head coach Cuki Alvarez, Jessica Ma stood out for her spectacular debut performance, earning a silver medal in the female adult white belt middleweight division.
“Our girl Jessica Ma, who just turned 18, was very impressive in her division,” said Alvarez.
Ma finished her first opponent in under 30 seconds with an ankle lock and went the distance in her gold medal match against the taller Ng Tsz Ching Jackie, narrowly losing by points.
“Although all of us fought our hearts out, we were all super proud and impressed with Jessica’s performance,” Alvarez said.
Joining Ma on the podium was Noah Quitugua, who claimed bronze in the male adult white belt medium-heavyweight division, and Daryn Roufs, who secured another bronze in the male masters 1 white belt light-featherweight division.
Also competing were Cuki Alvarez himself in the masters 5 black belt featherweight division, and Drey Aldan in the men’s roosterweight division, along with team manager Mariana Alvarez.
Although this marked Trench Tech’s return to the international stage after a six-year hiatus, Coach Alvarez was more than satisfied with the team’s performance.
“Overall, I am extremely proud of the team. This was literally their first international competition, and to be able to bring back medals at such a competitive level says a lot about their performances,” he said.
“The Asian Open is one of the biggest BJJ events in the region.”
The team trained five to six days a week, focusing primarily on scoring points and submission tactics.
“Competing in actual tournaments requires a different type of preparation. So we focused a lot on how to score within the allotted time,” Alvarez said.
“There were over 1,400 competitors from around the world! Again, to be able to make the podium at such a prestigious event speaks volumes for our potential,” he added.
Also joining the list of medalists were Trench Tech’s teammates from Purebred Guam:
White Belt
Jason Collado – Silver (adult light-featherweight division)
Aoi Swan – Bronze (adult lightweight division)
Robert Juanillo – Silver (master 1 super-heavyweight division)
Catherine Nigtumerang – Bronze (master 2 heavyweight division)
Blue Belt
Pauline Cruz – Bronze (master 1 medium-heavyweight division)
Stephanie Zuluaga – Bronze (master 1 division)
Brown Belt
Francesca Lizama – Silver (adult lightweight division) and Bronze (absolute division)
Frankie Perez – Double Gold (master 4 ultra-heavyweight and absolute division)
Black Belt
Daniel Cayanan – Bronze (master 1 light-featherweight division)
Trench Tech extends their gratitude to sponsors and supporters: Red Eye Rebel, Saipan Crew Boats, 4everCNMI, IT&E, Boarderline, Xxxclusive Spot Bar, Chow Time Restaurant, Bravo Restaurant, Java Joes, Hanmi Hardware, Fun Max, Fokai Industries, Mr. Jose Mafnas, Professor Clinton Dela Cruz, Mr. Hayden Gifford, Gerard and Grace Naputi, Marlynn Castro, and all friends of Trench Tech.
