Palauan Champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aims to Elevate Combat Sports Back Home
TOKYO, JAPAN – February 8, 2025 – Cristian Etpison Nicolescu has once again made Palau proud, securing gold in the Male Master 1 Purple Belt Open Weight division at the Marianas Professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament in Tokyo. As a seasoned athlete in wrestling, judo, and jiu-jitsu, his latest victory adds to an already impressive combat sports career that spans over a decade.
“I have a deep passion for competition and take great pride in representing Palau in both Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling,” Nicolescu said.
With his Tokyo win behind him, Nicolescu is now focused on the XII Pacific Mini Games 2025, which will be hosted in Palau this summer. He will compete in Judo while also coaching Palau’s national youth wrestling team, further cementing his role as both a competitor and a mentor for the next generation of Palauan athletes.
A Career Built on Wrestling Excellence
Nicolescu’s combat sports journey began with wrestling in high school, which led him to represent Palau at the 2014 Micronesian Games, where he won two gold medals. His success continued as he competed internationally, earning multiple gold medals at the Oceania Championships and Micronesian Championships.
“I first represented Palau in wrestling at the 2014 Micronesian Games, where I won two gold medals for the Republic of Palau,” he said.
Beyond regional dominance, Nicolescu has had the honor of representing Palau at the World Wrestling Championships and Olympic Trials three times, proving his ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Expanding Skills with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo
While wrestling remains his foundation, Nicolescu began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at 20 years old. Despite an inconsistent training schedule due to his academic and diplomatic career, he continued to refine his skills, leading to his gold-medal performance in Tokyo.
“I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when I was around 20 years old and have been training on and off ever since,” he shared.
Now, as he prepares to compete in Judo at the XII Pacific Mini Games, Nicolescu is proving that his talents extend across multiple combat disciplines.
Balancing Diplomacy and Elite Competition
Nicolescu’s commitment to both sports and his country extends beyond competition. In 2020, he moved to Tokyo, Japan, to pursue a degree in International Business at Temple University. After graduating, he joined the Embassy of Palau in Tokyo, where he now serves as a diplomat representing Palau in international affairs.
Balancing diplomacy with sports, he has continued to compete at a world-class level.
Coaching the Next Generation at the XII Pacific Mini Games
This summer, Nicolescu will play a dual role at the XII Pacific Mini Games 2025: Competing in Judo for Palau and Coaching the national youth wrestling team.
“This summer, at the XII Pacific Mini Games hosted in Palau, I will be coaching our youth wrestling team while also competing in Judo for Palau,” he said.
His experience at the Olympic Trials, World Championships, and regional competitions will be invaluable in preparing Palauan youth wrestlers for the XII Pacific Mini Games and beyond.
Growing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Palau
With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu growing globally, Nicolescu hopes to introduce the sport to Palau and develop a new generation of grapplers.
“One of my main goals is to earn my black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and eventually bring the sport back to Palau to teach and grow the next generation of grapplers,” he said.
If successful, this would open new athletic opportunities for Palauan athletes, allowing them to compete on the international BJJ circuit.
A Champion’s Mindset: “Go for It; Nothing Is Impossible”
Through every challenge, Nicolescu is driven by a family motto:
“I am inspired by a saying engraved on my grandfather’s grave: Tia Debrelii— ‘Go for it; nothing is impossible,’” he said. “This mindset has driven me throughout my athletic and professional journey, and I strive to embody it in everything I do.”
With a gold medal from Tokyo, a major competition ahead in Palau, and a vision for the future of combat sports, Nicolescu continues to break barriers and inspire the next generation of Palauan fighters. By: Eustoria Marie Borja