Dusard leads way with double gold at ISKA US Open

JAMAICA’s COMBINED martial arts team marked its return to the International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) United States Open at the weekend by reaping 37 medals, including four senior gold, topped by Richard Stone’s ESPN-televised Night of Champions victory over the United States’ Sheldon Spencer on Saturday.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted Jamaica’s participation at the world’s biggest martial arts tournament, the island dominated the event in 2019 by winning 54 medals – 19 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze.

Returning to the tournament venue at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, Jamaica’s 33 athletes and 20 officials represented seven martial arts schools, whose junior fighters had won selection by way of a national fight-off.

Participating among 4,000 fighters from all over the world, Jamaica were represented by Shi Tai Kickboxing, Red Dragon Taekwon-Do Centre, Jamaica Taekwondo Academy, Ultimate Taekwon-do Group of Schools, Ellis School of Martial Arts and Jamaica Taekwon-Do Centre.

Nicholas Dusard led the way with two gold medals, first lifting Friday’s light heavyweight black belt division title, defeating the USA’s Tyler Scott. Daniel White of Jamaica Taekwon-Do Association won Jamaica’s second gold on Friday, taking the 18-34 advance clash sparring division to lift the spirits of the junior fighters.

Dusard added his second gold of the tournament on Saturday, defeating Germany in the final.

Nicholai Reid bettered his silver-medal performance on Friday by defeating Jamie Lindtner of Germany for the middleweight black belt world title on Saturday.

CHAMPIONS SPECIAL

Jamaica put icing on the cake when Richard Stone defeated the USA’s Scott in the match of the night on the ESPN Night of Champions Special for the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Championship bout.

Stone narrowly got past the young American, who fought valiantly against the 30-year-old three-time US Open world champion.

Head of Delegation Jason McKay expressed his joy at the performance of the Jamaican squad, especially the merit of having a selection fight-off for juniors.

“The fight-off will be an annual event with the aim to select the best possible squad,” said McKay.

“All martial arts schools are eligible for the tournament circuit to participate in the selection process,” he added.

Friday’s medallists:

Ashlee Henry- bronze- 10-11 yrs girl- advance

Emeka Onuora -silver 16-17 yrs girl- advance

Travis Webb - silver 12-13 yrs- black belt boys

Kevin Porter- bronze- 10-11 yrs- boys intermediate

Daniel White- gold- 18-over male - advance belt

Dominic Henry- silver - 18-over male- advance belt

Delano Francis- bronze - 18 & over male - black belt -169 lb

Nicholai Reid- silver 18 & over male black belt -169 lb

Nicholas Dusard - gold - 18 & over male black belt -170-184 lb

Jasmine Barrows - silver - 18 & over female black belt -140-154 lb

Saturday’s medallists:

14-15 Intermediate Boys Clash Sparring:

Nathaniel Dixon - 3rd

14-15 Black Belt Girls Clash Sparring:

Gianna Raymond - 3rd

16-17 Intermediate Girls Clash Sparring:

Emeka Onoura - 2nd

14-15 Intermediate Boys Youth Continuous Sparring:

Zole Onoura 3rd

10-11 Advanced Girls Clash Sparring:

Ashlee Henry- 2nd

12-13 Intermediate Boys Clash Sparring:

Dantae Henry - 2nd

18 & Over Class A Black Belt Women Light Middleweight Clash Sparring (140 lbs & Over) (Class AA competitors may enter):

Rusharma Wynter- 2nd

14-15 Intermediate Boys Clash Sparring:

Nathan Pellington- 2nd

16-17 Class A Black Belt Boys Clash Sparring (Class AA competitors may enter):

Kemar Daye - 2nd

12-13 Class A Black Belt Boys Clash Sparring (Class AA competitors may enter):

Travis Webb- 3rd

11 & Under Class A Black Belt Boys Clash Sparring (Class AA competitors may enter):

Tajae Webb- 2nd

10-11 Intermediate Boys Clash Sparring:

Kevin Porter 3rd

18 - 34 Advanced Men Clash Sparring All Weights:

Daniel White- 2nd

18 - 34 Advanced Men Clash Sparring All Weights:

Dominic Henry - 3rd

18 & Over Class A Black Belt Men Lightweight Clash Sparring (169 lbs & Under) (Class AA competitors may enter):

Nicolai Reid - 1st

18 & Over Class A Black Belt Men Middleweight Continuous Sparring (170-184 lbs) (Class AA competitors may enter):

Nicholas Dusard - 1st

18 & Over Class A Black Belt Men Lightweight Clash Sparring (169 lbs & Under) (Class AA competitors may enter):

Ackeem Lawrence-3rd

18 & Over Class A Black Belt Women Light Middleweight Clash Sparring (140 lbs & Over) (Class AA competitors may enter):

Jasmine Barrows-3rd

18-34 Intermediate Women Point Sparring:

Kashmin Hall-3rd

18 & Over Class A Black Belt Women Lightweight Clash Sparring (139 lbs & Under) (Class AA competitors may enter):

Aneeke Brown-3rd

ISKA Night of Champion winner:

Richard Stone-1st