Established in 2007, Marianas Open is dedicated to promoting BJJ in Guam, setting the stage by providing a world-class tournament for the locals to compete and showcase their hard-earned skills and talents.
Last year Keenan Cornelius won a high level black belt absolute division at the 2015 Marianas Open Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament, which included Marcos Souza, Lucas Leite and Mike Fowler.
Cornelius took home the $10,000 grand prize as he defeated Mike Fowler in the black belt absolute final match by submission.
This year, Marianas Open defending champion Keenan Cornelius faced off against Felipe Pena in the final of the Absolute Black Belt Championship on April 16 at the Father Duenas Memorial School’s Phoenix Center. Pena won by 4 points to 2 in a close match.
Winners for the 2016 Marianas Open Black Belt absolute division are $10,000 1st place Felipe Pena, $3000 2nd place Keenan Cornelius and $2000 3rd Igor Schneider.
Pena told Guampdn.com:
“I’m really happy to be here. To have gone out there and win, it’s a really good feeling. It was great being in Guam. I love the people, the island and I am looking forward to defending the title next year.”
“It was great being in Guam. I love the people, the island and I am looking forward to defending the title next year.”
First round
Pena vs Guilherme Augusto Santos.Pena 2-0.
Aflague vs Joel Bouhey. Aflague 3-0.
Keenan Cornelius vs Jacob Guerrero. Cornelius by submission (bicep slicer).
Bryant Pangelinan vs Igor Schneider. Schneider 6-0.
Semifinal
Pena vs Aflague. Pena by submission (bow and arrow choke).
Cornelius vs Schneider. Cornelius by submission (bow and arrow choke).
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