1st, 2nd for Ramon, Mizutani in Guam's Ripper Classic

With the Marianas spared from Typhoon Champi, the annual Guahan Bodyboarders’ Ripper Classic Bodyboarding Championship 2026 finally went through on Saturday, Oct. 24, with CNMI bodyboarders showing up and showing out in the neighboring waters of Guam. 

Frank Ramon took the top spot in the Master's Division with a score of 5.00, while Linus Mizutani claimed second with 4.27. Third went to Guam's Ken Concepcion also at 4.27.

In the Men’s Open, first place went to Guam’s Jonathan Leon Guerrero at 8.23, Robert Alexander was second at 5.63, while third was Ken Concepcion with 4.13. Leon Guerrero also took first place in the Drop Knee division, while second was Kei Fujioka at 6.27, and third was Carl Dela Cruz at 5.97. Meanwhile in the Amateur division, Vincent Pangelinan was first at 5.63, second went to Josh Dunn with 4.37, and third was Robert Alexander at 3.67. 

The annual competition honors Guam bodyboarder Brian “Ripper” Cruz, with the event hosting boarders from neighboring places like the CNMI and Japan. This year, the event had about 37 participants over four divisions—Master’s, Men’s Open, Drop Knee, and Amateur.

Listen to interviews of the CNMI team—Ramon, Mizutani, Sidney Camacho, and Vincent Villagomez on their experiences, as well as Guam Bodyboarders Federation’s vice president Chris Santos. Report by MP’s Guam Correspondent Eliseo Silverio III.