JAMAICA’s MARTIAL artists are aiming at a pre-COVID medal haul when they face the world’s best fighters at the July 4-6 International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) United States Open at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Returning to Orlando last year with a relatively small contingent of 33 martial artists, Jamaica won 37 medals, well below 2019 when they dominated the event, returning home with 54 – 19 gold, 15 silver, and 20 bronze.

Nicholas Dusard led the way last year with two gold medals, lifting light heavyweight black belt titles in continuous and clash sparring.

Richard Stone, Jamaica’s three-time US Open world champion, defeated the US’ Sheldon Spencer in the match of the night on the ESPN-televised Night of Champions Special for the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Championship bout.

Though Jamaica’s number of fighters travelling for the event is yet to attain pre-COVID levels, many-time US Open champion Akino Lindsay has high hopes for the cohort of juniors and seniors, ages 10-33, who won their places at February’s McKay Security Senior and Juniors ISKA World US Open Invitational Qualifiers.

“It’s the first time for some of the juniors. The US Open is a very difficult tournament but I am hopeful of them doing their best and bringing home some medals,” said Lindsay, one of Jamaica’s most decorated ISKA fighters.

Winners of 23 divisions at the McKay Security Senior and Juniors ISKA World US Open Invitational Qualifiers won full sponsorship to the tournament.

Captain Ackeem Lawrence explained that the sponsored fighters underwent rigorous training, starting a month after the qualifiers.

“We trained the sponsored athletes in a special US Open camp, from March until the end of this month, preparing them for the Open,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Delegation Jason McKay said the merit of having a selection fight-off for juniors has served its purpose after the COVID-19 pandemic’s disastrous effect on the McKay Security High School League.

“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.

Jamaica Taekwondo Centre, Ultimate Taekwondo, Future Leaders Eagle Karate, Shai-Tai Kickboxing, Jamaica Taekwondo Academy and Red Dragon Taekwondo are the local martial arts schools with fighters at the US Open.