MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Gladiators Challenge was the final event of the 2011 Commanders Cup competition here Oct. 21.
The Gladiators Challenge consisted of different events including swimming relay races, which incorporated a wide variety of techniques, raft races, and tug of war in two-man kayaks.
Marines and sailors also competed in different styles of tug of war and group races including a metal ball where one Marine sat inside while their teammates rolled them around.
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Combat Logistics Company 36, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, and Marine Aircraft Group 12 competed in challenges throughout the year.
MWSS-171 won the Gladiator Challenge;. However, their celebration was cut short by a third place average for the entire Commanders Cup.
CLC-36 was awarded their trophy after all the scoring had been counted.
After receiving awards, CLC-36 came together and said although they had one of the smallest units, they had max participation and that is what led to a win.
CLC-36 fought for their title throughout all the other events.
Although they placed within the bottom two during the Gladiator Challenge, they racked up enough points to earn the gold.
Although Marines were talking a bit of ‘trash,’ it was all with good intentions because of the amount of competitiveness involved in the activities.
“There was some great competition out here and a lot of the (events) were really close at the end,” said Lance Cpl. Jimmy S. Harden, CLC-36 motor transportation operator and Commanders Cup competitor.
The primary mission of this event is to support competitiveness between Marine units and to bring everyone together.
“Working as a team and communication are the most important things we got out of these events,” said Harden.
After the challenge was over there was some talk on how teams were chosen.
“We didn’t hand pick our team like some of the other units did,” said Harden.
Just about all the unit teams were made up of Marines and sailors who volunteered to come out and show their spirit for their individual units.
“2011 Commanders Cup was a great event with max participation,” said Barbara Roman, Marine Corps Community Services lead fitness coordinator.
Participation shows just how close these units are and how they stand together.
This event brings these units together and allows them to work as teams, said Roman.
These Marines and sailors work together to prove their camaraderie and their competitive drive.
Throughout the year the teams fought to the final challenge with only one coming out on top. CLC-36 took the 2011 Commanders Cup champion title.