Photo: Jamaica’s Chavaughn Wilkins (left) against Argentina’s Fernando Grabobi in the gold medal match in the boys’ pre-Junior 60kg individual sparring
The Montego Bay Convention Centre was set on fire on Saturday as Jamaica’s senior men’s Black Belt team won gold in the sparring event on the final day of the 5th International Taekwondo Federation’s World Cup.
The Black, Green and Gold boyz were led to victory by fighters Olympian Kenneth Edwards and team captain Nicolas Dusard, who made up for their disappointing showing in the individual events on Friday. The Jamaican men gave a ruthless display to turn back arch rivals Argentina 10-8 in the final. The team roster was completed by Adrian Moore, Darren Harrison, Ackeem Lawrence and Scott Wright
Jamaica’s team-sparring gold moved the country’s tally to 46 medals – a rich 17 gold, 14 silver and 15 bronze – 44 more than the island had ever won at any ITF world tournament.
The lone individual medalist was young Subrina Richards won junior black belt silver on centre stage. Richards’ silver and a late result, Everod Chung’s bronze in 18-35 coloured belt sparring, 57kg
Saturdays final day also saw team Jamaica serving up some outstanding performances through units from Manchester based, Mandeville Taekwon-Do, coloured belt, copping a silver and two gold medals in the 12-14 girls & boys team sparring and team patterns respectively. Jamaica Taekwon-Do Centre, coloured belt teams in the 15-17 boys, team sparring, 18-35, team sparring won double gold medals on final day, with the Ultimate and Dragon Taekwon-Do, adult coloured belt, 18-35, team sparring and advance black belt rocking up two silver medals.
Coach Claude Chin who extremely happy and elated with the countries showing described the historic medal haul as “the best moment ever for Jamaican martial arts.To beat two Argentine teams, the country with the biggest contingent, more than 200 athletes, and some of the best coaches in the world, that was not easy,” he said.
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