Team Marzan's Girls Shine at JJWL Nationals West II
Team Marzan continued its strong competition season at JJWL Nationals West II in Stockton, bringing home multiple podium finishes. The academy's girls led the way, with every Marzan female competitor capturing gold in the Gi division.
STOCKTON, Calif. — Team Marzan delivered another strong performance on the tournament circuit this past weekend at JJWL Nationals West II, returning home with multiple podium finishes and a standout showing from the academy's female competitors.
Leading the way was a remarkable accomplishment by Team Marzan's girls, all of whom captured gold medals in their Gi divisions.
Bonnie Tenedora, Gabriela Perez, and Liliya Dagstanyan each fought their way to first-place finishes, continuing to demonstrate the technical skill and confidence that have become hallmarks of the academy's youth program.
Sierra Durrett added another impressive chapter to her already outstanding competition season. Durrett earned gold in the Gi division before returning to the mats to claim silver in No-Gi, adding two more podium finishes to her resume. The performance further solidifies her position as JJWL's current No. 1 ranked competitor in her division, a distinction she has earned through consistent success against some of the region's toughest opponents.
The success wasn't limited to the academy's champions.
Ezra Tenedora battled to a second-place finish in the Gi division, while Ruben Dagstanyan, Misha Dagstanyan, and Elizabeth Dagstanyan each earned silver medals after strong performances throughout the day. Daniel Dagstanyan and David Dagstanyan also reached the podium with third-place finishes, adding to another productive weekend for the Dagstanyan family.
One of the day's most memorable moments came from Cole Graves, who stepped onto the competition mats for the first time. While he missed the podium, the experience marked an important milestone in his jiu-jitsu journey and provided valuable experience that will undoubtedly serve him well in future tournaments.
For many competitors, tournaments are measured by medals. For the coaches at Team Marzan, they're equally about growth, composure, and the willingness to test skills under pressure. JJWL Nationals West II offered another opportunity for the academy's students—from first-time competitors to seasoned veterans—to gain experience against quality opposition while representing their teammates with pride.
With another successful weekend in the books, Team Marzan continues to build momentum as the season progresses, with athletes of all ages proving that the academy's commitment to technical instruction and competition preparation is paying dividends on the podium.