Fil-Am siblings Solomon Xander Jose Gunthorpes and Saige Isabella Sara Gunthorpes are set to showcase their skills in the United States as they compete in the New Jersey Spring Kids International Jiu-Jitsu Championships on June 21, 2026, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey.
Training and Mentorship
The siblings began their Brazilian jiu-jitsu training in November last year under the guidance of Lemuel Maglinte, a Cebuano brown-belt and head coach of Strive CCA in Mandaue City. Maglinte praised their consistency and fighting spirit, stating, “They started training with me in November last year and these kids have been really consistent. They’re built for competition and they’ve shown me they have the Cebuano fighting mentality.”
Solomon, aged 10, and Saige, aged 9, are products of the Strive CCA kids program, which is affiliated with Jiu-Jitsu Methods of world champion Rene Lopez. Despite training for less than a year, the siblings have demonstrated remarkable potential.
Recent Achievements
In the recent Queen City International held on May 16, Saige captured a gold medal in the Kids 3 light-featherweight division, while Solomon secured a silver and a bronze in the Kids 5 middleweight division. These accomplishments highlight their rapid progress and dedication to the sport.
Coach’s Vision
Maglinte, who leads a small but talented team of jujiteiros and jujiteiras, hopes that his kids program will produce future international competitors who can represent the country. “Filipinos have so much potential in jiu-jitsu and my goal is to train kids who can carry our flag in international events,” he said. The Gunthorpes siblings are a testament to this vision, as they prepare to compete on an international stage.
