MARILYN Cruz, a Kagman High School graduate, started the new year with a bang by winning the gold medal in the Women’s No-Gi Expert Division (strawweight) of the North American Grappling Association on Jan. 29 in San Marcos, California.
Cruz said her initial game plan was to dominate each match and end it in a submission.
“I was prepared to initiate leg locks such as heel hooks, knee bars and ankle locks,” she told Variety.
But the toe-hold submission became an option due to the position she was in.
In one of the matches, “my opponent was trying to pull my legs for a leg lock of her own, but I used the position to my advantage and counter-attacked her foot,” she added.
The toe-hold can strain the joints of the foot as well as the ligaments in the knee.
Cruz said she used a kimura lock to apply pressure by bending her foot toward her opponent’s back which resulted in Cruz’s ultimate victory.
In the final round, Cruz was up against someone she had previously faced so she was quite familiar with her opponent’s style.
It was a fast-paced title match and it ended in a 4-4 tie.
In overtime, the winner would be the fighter who had forced a submission or who had the most points in two minutes.
“I was able to score four more points and closed out the match at 8-4,” Cruz said. It was a fun and challenging match overall.”
She is already looking forward to her next competition.
“I feel that even with a win or loss, there is always room for improvement,” she said. “I will review my matches to see what I am lacking, and what I could do to get better.”
Cruz added, “I feel pumped up for future events, and I’m excited to meet the new challenges ahead of me! I will be entering the world championships this year so there is much training to do.”
Cruz said participating in tournaments is the best way to improve one’s skillset. “It is where I can test my knowledge and discipline. Every day I step on a mat, either to train or compete, I feel that I am improving more than one aspect of my life.”
Marilyn Cruz, center, smiles after winning the gold medal in the Women’s No-Gi Expert Division (strawweight) of the North American Grappling Association on Jan. 29 in San Marcos, California.
Marilyn Cruz smiles during a match in the Women’s No-Gi Expert Division (strawweight) of the North American Grappling Association on Jan. 29 in San Marcos, California.
