The Guam Visitors Bureau Board of Directors debated the value of investing $550,000 in a series of jiu-jitsu competitions, ultimately deciding to give the money to the Marianas Sport Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
During Thursday’s meeting, GVB Board Member Michael Sgro made the motion to sponsor the 2026 Marianas Pro Event Series, which includes competitions throughout the year on Guam and Saipan as well as Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Seoul and Hong Kong.
Since no money has been budgeted for the sponsorship, the motion directs “management to identify funding source.”
GVB officials were grilled by the legislature about expenditures during an oversight hearing Monday, and Sen. Shawn Gumataotao asked about the return on investment when the agency pays for sports teams to go on trips.
Directors asked the same question during Thursday’s meeting.
They were assured that by visiting top gyms in established and emerging markets, attracting international media coverage, showing videos of Guam and offering trips to the island as a prize, more people would come here for the international championship a year from now.
With competitors aged 4-70, the Marianas Open drew more than 1,300 participants from 20 countries in 2025.
Organizers said the 2026 competition is expected to attract more than 2,000 competitors.
