United States 60-strong at ISKA World Champs in Ja
Published:Monday | August 27, 2018 | 12:00 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
RAY BRYANT, head of the United States team competing at the International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) Amateur Members World Championships - Tatami Sports from September 10-15, has confirmed 60 participants for the tournament being hosted by Jamaica at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.
Despite being almost tripled by England, who have confirmed 167 athletes, Bryant grudgingly admitted that the Britons are set to top the medal standings, by their sheer numbers, but was adamant that the United States will finish among the top three.
"We have a decent-size squad, but nowhere near England. We have a nice group from Florida, Georgia and some from Newark. We have about 58 to 60 who will be competing," said Bryant.
"We're used to that. Even when we're in Europe, they always bring like 200 people. We had more than a hundred qualify, but we're getting hammered with the school schedule. The one thing with the Brits, they have more flexibility with their schools. We will do fine. We're always in the top three, even with small numbers," he added.
Bryant said Jamaica will be in for a treat, as the American squad will feature top fighters who were not on show at July's United States Open, the world's biggest martial arts open, because they were working as officials.
"There is Catherine Mouse Millner, who has won her weight division for the last six years. We will also have Megan Dunlop, who has won forms and fighting almost every year," Bryant pointed out.
"Sisters Alex and Andrew Adams, who have each won six medals every year, doing four different forms, as well as points and continuous sparring," he added.
Bryant said the United States delegation will be close to a hundred, arriving in Jamaica from September 10 for weigh-in.
"The overall delegation, parents and everybody, close to 100 are coming.
We all fly in on the Monday of the tournament," he explained, but lamented what could have been a bigger group.
"It's a big vacation thing. Jamaica is close to us, too, so it is advantageous for everybody to go," he said.