Teenage standout Trinity Pun credits family for rapid rise: 'I couldn't have any of this success without my parents'

New Wave's Pun hopes to claim $5,000 prize in front of parents at FURY Professional Grappling 13.

FURY Professional Grappling debuts at New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Friday, May 23, and the lineup includes a very special four-woman flyweight tournament.

The entrants at FURY Professional Grappling 13 feature some of the best women's flyweights in the nation, including a returning Trinity Pun, a 19-year-old grappling sensation who hails from New York.

Pun debuted for the promotion three years ago, ultimately coming up short against a talented Jasmine Rocha via decision at FURY Professional Grappling 4.

Pun has since joined New Wave Jiu-Jitsu based out of Austin, Texas, where she's leveled up even further. Initially splitting her time between New York and Austin, after graduating from high school, she's now with the team full-time, training under the legendary John Danaher.

While still just a teenager, she now boasts over a decade of experience.

"I've been in the jiu-jitsu community for 11 years now," Pun said. "I've never done much besides jiu-jitsu. I had little hobbies here and there, but nothing to this extreme. I've been doing this all my life. I know I'm not old, but I feel old because of how long I've been doing this."

Pun is quick to point out that she has enjoyed having very supportive parents in her journey. Her dad especially enjoys traveling to watch Pun compete, and he will maintain that tradition and be in attendance at FURY Professional Grappling 13.

While the cash prize is the ultimate goal, Pun is excited just for the opportunity to compete for her dad in such a high-stakes tournament.

"My dad's the best," Pun said. "I consider him to be one of my coaches.

"I couldn't have any of this success without my parents. My mom and dad are my biggest supporters. My father would take me to my morning class and watch. He'd stick around and fall asleep on the mats."

Now with the four-woman tournament title in her crosshairs, Pun will look to showcase her diverse skills in her return to the FURY Professional Grappling mats.

Opening round matchups will be determined following official weigh-ins, but Pun will stand alongside Amanda Bruse, Taylor Hishaw and Cindy Ung in the field. Pun has history with Hishaw and Ung, having faced both women prior to the tournament.

Pun and Hishaw exchanged wins, while Ung suffered defeat at the hands of "The Punisher." When considering possible opponents on the night, Pun was especially fired up with a potential rematch against Hishaw.

"I want to get my lick back," Pun said, "We did compete recently. She beat me by decision. No hate, no nothing. It's friendly competition, but we are 1-1 now."

While eager to even the score with Hishaw, there's much more to gain in terms of bragging rights with a tournament win, regardless of the opponents. Four high-level schools. Four high-level women in one bracket. An impressive cash prize.

Pun feels that her growth at New Wave in the time following her promotional debut has been tremendous, and when she steps on the mat, she's representing the team that helped elevate her to such a high level.

But she'll always represent her family, as well, and victory with her parents in attendance would be especially sweet.

"To have this opportunity on this big stage against these high-level women is amazing," Pun said. "I want to win this for my team and for my parents and my family, as well.

"I want to be an exciting grappler overall. I don't like to be boring. I don't like guard stalling. These matches, I'm looking to show action. I want to get the 'oohs' and 'ahhs' of the crowd and just leave a good performance on the stage."

ARTICLE BY: SETH FASSANO