While Kyle Gray, Josh Durbin and Chris Gallio had already set the pace as the future blackbelt champions of the 11 and under division, Alvarez was a late comer jumping from his 1999 intermediate divisional entries directly into NBL blackbelt competition in 2000. But he stirred up the pot qualifying for the Super Grands Grand Finale run-offs in three divisions walking away with the title in musical weapons. Precedent was now set and Alvarez would be considerated a future world title contender despite the fact that he almost never ventured from his home country of Guatemala to compete. As the 2001 Super Grands rolled around sure enough, Alvarez made his fifth appearance and second time in blackbelt competition. Again straight to the top as he conquered creative and Japanese forms world titles and first runner-up in both creative and musical weapons. But while he was gaining notoriety he was also overshadowed by a whopping five titles won by Joshua Durbin. Alvarez failed to return in 2002 and ensuing multiple victories by Kyle Gray, Johnny Shaw and Cass Sigmon virtually wiped out the Alvarez memory over the next few years.

While Alvarez hadn’t quit the martial arts his disinterest in schoolwork prevented his continued tournament competition. Alvarez was the quite imaginative kid, starting karate training at 6 years old because he visualized becoming a Power Ranger. Advancing from Power Ranger, he took to the Ninja Turtles craze before finally becoming a Superman fan in his teenage years. And, as with many people, even adults, he claims the Superman craze is forever. In fact he even thinks he is the man in blue tights and red cape. Well... not all the time, just in karate class. I asked him about the flying part and he responded that wasn’t a problem, he does it all the time at his karate school. Oookayy... and for his next trick? We talked about the Superman thing and he recited nearly every movie and aspect of the hero’s life. He even has a lamp in his parents house that when turned on it projects silhouetted images of the immortal man onto the walls in their living room. In any case, Alvarez’ love of martial arts and his world of make-believe didn’t help his scholarly endeavors, so his appearance at the Super Grands was axed by his parents until his grades improved. Apparently the grades finally did as Alvarez reappeared early in the 2005 season competing at a couple NBL regional tournaments in the US, then showed up without much fanfare at the Super Grands. But despite a three year hiatus and having missed the 12-14 year old division in the Super Grands altogether, the contenders in his 15-17 year old division had to sit up and take immediate notice when he competed. He not only held his own but advanced to the Grand Finale stage to vie for the title in three divisions, and, not unlike his mentor, pulled off a super human endeavor to win all three for the biggest comeback in NBL history.

Comebacks, as well as surprises, seem to follow Alvarez. At this year’s El Gran Jaguar for instance his coach, Salvador Schumann, coaxed him into competing in point sparring even though he hadn’t been training in sparring all year. In his first match he devastated his opponent 10 to 0 and became so daring by the end of the match that he attempted to score from a hand spring. Much to the surprise of everyone spectating he pulled it off with his coach in ectatic disbelief. But then he lost his next match by almost exactly the reverse amount.

With six titles under his belt, or should we say added to it, he intends to pull off an equal showing at this year’s Super Grands, but the 15 to 17 year old divisions are stacked with the likes of Josh Durbin, Daniel Pitlock, Chris Martin, Josh Bailey, Justin Lewis, Torren Davis, Sergio Calva, Venya Bruk, Brittan Kabela, AJ Maunder, Chris Urcinola and Joseph Pruiett just to name a few, and lets not forget about the return of Kyle Gray in competition this year as he just might show up for comeback kill as well. Never-the-less Alvarez seems to persevere and if I were any one of the rest of his nemeses I’d strongly consider wearing a ring or pendant with a little green stone called kryptonite.