Senator Chris Malafunksha Barnett presented legislative certificates at the Guam Congress Hall on Thursday recognizing Beneventi Striking Academy as it marks its 12th anniversary and applauded fighters and trainers who represent Guam regionally and abroad.

Barnett said the academy “is a family group, a bunch of fighters, and they represent our island very, very well,” and cited recent appearances including the Cage of Fire event in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, on Dec. 13. He named and honored individual athletes and trainers, including Dylan John Beneventi, Ethan (surname as recorded in the transcript), Keith Sablan, trainers Curtis James and Peter J. Benaventi, Zach Beneventi and Benjamin J. Beneventi.

A representative of Beneventi Striking Academy thanked the legislature for the recognition. “I just wanna thank, thank you, Chris, for giving us this recognition and certificate and acknowledging us with our passion in this sport,” the representative said, adding gratitude for teammates and the island community.

Barnett also announced a fundraiser at Uptown Grill in Jigo the following night to help send Ethan and other fighters to competitions in Houston, Texas, and encouraged community members to attend and support the team.

The presentation emphasized the academy’s growth from what Barnett described as a backyard operation to a program that has produced athletes who compete off-island. The event was streamed on local Dokomo GTA channels and the legislature’s YouTube channel.

The ceremony concluded with holiday greetings and applause for the academy. No formal legislative action or vote was recorded during the presentation.