Kekuhaupi‘o Sakaguchi has been training jiu jitsu since he was four years old.
Now 14 years old, the Hilo local is a sponsored athlete (Protect Ya Neck MMA) and undefeated in competition for the last three years, with more than 90% of his wins coming by way of submission.
Sakaguchi will be competing again this weekend at the ADCC Arizona Open in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Already an ADCC Open champion — winning the ADCC Open in Las Vegas last September — Sakaguchi is looking to improve his performance by entering two different weight classes, -65kg (under 143lbs) and 65kg+ (over 143lbs).
He trained at Penn Gym (prior to becoming UFC Gym), under the direction of Coach Kim Terra since 2015.
Now, Sakaguchi trains about four days a week at a combination of places — mainly at Nova Uniao Puna Academy under Coach Kaynan Kaku, and Kahiau Academy under Coach Chad Ha’o and at Alameda House of Jiu Jitsu under coach Jordan Alameda.
Each of these coaches and the many training partners over the years have helped build him into the competitor he is today. Sakaguchi also credits his older brother, Keawe, for his success
“No one beats me up like my older brother,” he said. “He’s my inspiration. Though my brother hasn’t done as well in competitions, he is still pretty much the only one I can’t submit — I can barely score a point and it motivates me to get better. One day though, I’ll get him.”
Sakaguchi won the Pan Kids tournament in 2022, after placing 3rd at the Brazilian Nationals competition — a 98-competitor bracket.
Aside from training, Sakaguchi loves to surf, play ukulele and hang out with friends. He’s also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and just started his 9th grade year at Kamehameha Hawai’i Campus.
Results from the ADCC Arizona Open can be viewed online at adcc-official.com or at flograppling.com/results