Why did you start BJJ?
I was sidelined from powerlifting and couldn’t lift weights because of my ankle injury, so I found a sport where you could lay down and have fun.
Blue Belt Competitor
Anthony Salas
"Bigtone"
Blue Belt
YigoloTraining for 2 years
Anthony “Bigtone” Salas is a blue belt from Yigolo. A former Guam’s Strongest Man and the only powerlifter from Guam to total 2,000 pounds, he brought an elite strength background to Jiu Jitsu after an ankle injury sidelined him from lifting.
What began as a way to stay active became a new competitive path. Bigtone now represents GUMA and Guam across major tournaments in the Marianas, Japan, Manila, and on the world stage.
- 2026 Guam Marianas Dumau Open · Gi: Silver, Master 36 Open Weight · Silver, Adult Ultra Heavy · No-Gi: competed, Adult Ultra Heavy
- 2026 Marianas Pro Manila · Gi: Gold, Master 36 Ultra Heavy · Silver, Master 36 Open Weight
- 2026 Guam Marianas Pro Nagoya · No-Gi: Gold, Master 30 Ultra Heavy · Silver, Master 30 Open Weight · Gi: Bronze, Adult Ultra Heavy · Bronze, Master 36 Open Weight
- 2026 Copa de Marianas · Gi: Silver, Adult Ultra Heavy · Competed, Master 30 Open Weight
- 2025 Marianas Open International Championship · Gi: competed, Master 30 Ultra Heavy and Open Weight
- 2025 SJJIF World Championships · Competed in No-Gi Adult Ultra Heavy and Gi Master 30 Ultra Heavy and Open Weight
- 2025 Marianas Pro Manila · No-Gi: Silver, Adult White Ultra Heavy · Competed, Adult White Open Weight · Gi: Silver, Adult White Ultra Heavy · Bronze, Adult White Open Weight
- 2025 Asia Masters Jiu Jitsu Championship · Gold, Master 30 White Ultra Heavy · Bronze, Master 30 White Open Weight
- 2025 Marianas Pro Nagoya · Gi: Silver, Adult White Ultra Heavy · Competed, Adult White Open Weight
- 2025 Copa de Marianas · No-Gi: Gold, Adult White Ultra Heavy · Gi: Gold, Adult White Ultra Heavy · Competed, Adult White Open Weight
- 2024 Marianas Open International Championship · Competed in Gi, Adult White Ultra Heavy
Athlete interview
In Bigtone’s words
What do you enjoy most about competing?
Meeting new people from around the world and competing against different styles of BJJ.
What motivates you to keep training?
The constant growth, mentally and physically, makes me continue to show up even when I don’t want to.
Who has influenced your BJJ journey the most?
Jon Tuck — who else, bruh? The guy has been in my corner since day one. When no one else believed in me, he stood by my side and motivated me. Now my whole family is here at the gym.
What does representing our competition team mean to you?
Everything. I put my gym and my island on my back every time I step on that competition mat.
What does representing Guam mean to you?
Everything. I’m Guam’s own, baby.
What are your competition goals for the next 12 months?
To get back in the win column. I’ve placed second and third since last year, and it’s been a devastating feeling, especially knowing I can do better.
What is your ultimate goal in BJJ?
One day, to teach alongside my brothers as a black belt.
On the mats & at the podium
