A relatively small contingent of Guyanese made their mark on the Pan Caribbean Martial Arts Classic 2010, by returning home fully loaded with numerous belts and medals from the October 8- 9 event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Trinidad & Tobago.
Two hundred and twenty-two athletes from five countries participated in the two- day event, but of that amount only 14 were Guyanese. However, that didn’t deter the South Americans from showcasing their skills and letting the other competing countries know what they were capable of.
Guyana’s group, made up of students from the Black Hawks and Harpy Eagles Martial Arts Clubs, captured 19 World Championship title belts, six silver medals, and five bronzes.
According to Professor Christopher Francis, who organised the North American Federation of Martial Arts sanctioned event, Guyana’s performance this year surpassed their efforts of 2009 by far. Although the championship was for individual glory, Professor Francis noted that if they were to tally the belts and medals, then Guyana would be second overall to hosts Trinidad and Tobago.
It is understood that the twin- island republic had the largest amount of athletes drawn from 15 clubs. The United States of America, Pakistan, and Puerto Rico were the other competing countries.
Athletes from the five nations competed in Kata, Weapon Kata, Kumite, Self Defense, Sparring, and Padded Stick Fighting.
Professor Francis revealed that the champion ship was graced with the presence of several top officials including Guest of Honour Steve Mohamed (formerly Steve Saunders), who was the first man of African descent to win the World Championship in the’60s.
Also witnessing the ac tion were World Taekwando Champion, Master Jose Torres, World Martial Arts Champion, Professor Frank Degueveille, T& T Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissesar, and several ministers of the T& T government.
Guyana’s contingent comprised Lozaro Scott ( Gold in Kumite and Sparring/ Silver in Weapons), Viola Bobb ( Gold in Kumite and Weapons/ Silver in Kata), Tamera Austin ( Belt in Kumite/ Bronze in Weapons), Kemo Scott ( Belt in Weapons/ Silver in Kata/ Bronze in Kumite), Deon Bobb ( Belt in Kata, Kumite, and Weapons/ Silver in Padded Stick Fighting), Troy Bobb Jnr. ( Belts in Weapons and Kata), Khadija St.Clair ( Belt in Kata/ Bronze in Kumite), Kerwin Danjou ( Belts in Kata, Kumite, and Weapons), Kenroy Myers ( Bronze in Kata), Bertram Williams ( Belt in Kata/ Silver in Kumite and Weapons), Michael Jones ( Bronze in Kumite), Garfield Newton ( Belt in Sparring), and Troy Bobb Snr. ( Belts in Kata, Weapons, and Sparring).
Meanwhile, Guyana’s contingent was thankful for the support of the following companies and individuals who assisted in making the trip possible: Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Apex Education, several residents of Mon Repos, Beterverwagting, and Annandale, Aubrey ‘ Shanghai’ Major, the Masons, the Joneses, and the Williamses.
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