Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

WHEREAS Jamaica's black belt seniors confirmed their class by adding 10 individual medals to the successful defence of their World Continental Team Fighting Championship at the International Sports Karate Association's US Martial Arts Open at the weekend, the local fraternity is even more upbeat with the performance of the juniors.

Interestingly, among the seniors, one of its youngest black belts, Wolmer's Boys sixth-former, Nicholas Dussard, won that group's only gold medal, in points sparring, at the Coronado Resort in Orlando, Florida.

It was another big win for Dussard, who, last year, won the black belt lightweight junior title in the same event.

Seamless transition

Overall, Jamaica's junior ranks continue to build a solid foundation, which is all set to ensure a seamless transition when the current seniors are past their prime.

Returning to the island early this week after their weekend exploits in Florida, the youngsters were laden with so many trophies and medals, some too huge to be carried aboard the flight back home, and had to be dismantled for them to be allowed aboard the plane.

In all, the juniors, drawn from Jamaica tae kwon do, Rising Sun Karate and Ningen Martial Arts, returned with a total 42 medals won in patterns and weapons demonstrations as well as continuous and points sparring.

Calabar High's trio of Oshane Murray, Demar King and Troy Allen each won gold medals, as well as Campion College's Adrianna Dennis, St Andrew High's Jasmine Barrows, St Andrew Technical's Kemar Barr and Shanel Chisholm of Campion College.

Jamaica tae kwon do's junior coach, Herbert Stewart, said he was proud of the juniors, adding that they could have won more medals had it not been for questionable officiating.

"I don't think we were dealt with fairly but I am very proud. But, overall, it was a vast improvement over last year," he said.

Jamaica's final medal tally

Continuous sparring

Black belt seniors

Nicholas Dussard, gold, 140-149 lb 18-29

Shiahh Shhukura, silver, 190-up, 18-29

Kenneth Edwards, silver, 170-179 lb, 18-29

Jason McKay, silver, two-man team event

Keith Edwards, silver, two-man team event

Shawn Cummings, bronze, 180-189 18-29

Ricardo Lewis, bronze, 140-149, 18-29

Alrick Wanliss, bronze, 140-149, 18-29

Forms

Heather Campbell, elite silver

Heather Campbell, silver

Juniors, coloured and black belts

Continuous sparring

Oshane Murray, gold, 14-17

Jasmine Barrows, gold, 10-11

Richard Henry, silver, 18-29

Keenan Barr, silver, 18-29

Fernando Thompson, 14-17, silver

Bradley Evans, silver, 14-17

Martin Pagon, silver, 14-17

Kenroy Gordon, silver, 14-17

Kristina Campbell, silver, 13-14

John Lindo, silver, 8-9

Tashauna Grannum, bronze, 14-17 blackbelt

Daron Harrison, bronze, 14-17

Ashieka Dyer, bronze, 14-17

Maya Mckay, bronze, 12-13

Justin Barrows, bronze, 12-13

Jordan Dobson, bronze, 10-11

Delano Francis, bronze, 8-9

Points sparring

Kemar Barr, gold, 18-29

Demar King, gold, 18-29

Troy Allen, gold, 18-29

Adrianna Dennis, gold, 14-15

Dominic Young, silver, 16-17

Javal Dunn, silver, 16-17

Ackeem Lawrence, silver, 15-16

Noel Malcolm, bronze, 18-29

Chauvin Allen, bronze, 18-29

Richard Henry, bronze, 18-29

Ramone Williamson, bronze, 14-17

Oshane Murray, bronze, 14-17

Shamar Morgan, bronze, 16-17

Oshane Williams, bronze, 14-15

Kristina Campbell, bronze, 13-14

Maya McKay, bronze, 12-13

Sabrina Richards, bronze, Under-11

Jordan Dobson, bronze, Under-11

Forms

Avn Ranger, silver, 13-14

Shanel Chisholm, bronze, 14-15

Michael Roache, bronze, 9-10

Weapons

Shanel Chisholm, gold, 14-15

Michael Roache, bronze, 9-10

Timothy Hitchner, bronze, 10-11 blackbelt