Stone heads Ja’s qualifiers to US martial arts Open
RICHARD STONE, who defeated the United States’Sheldon Spencer in the International Taekwondo Federation bout at last year’s ESPNtelevised Night of Champions at the International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) United States Open, heads a list of 15 sponsored fighters for this year’s event at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Stone, a four-time US Open world champion and decorated ISKA fighter with seven Amateur Members Association(AMA) gold medals, defeated Akino Lindsay in the heavyweight, male 18+ division, during qualifiers for the US Open at the Jamaica Martial Arts Association headquarters on Sunday, February 11.
However, Lindsay, Jamaica’s leading ISKA AMA fighter with eight gold medals, similar to other non-winners at the qualifiers, has a chance of vying for five sponsored spots during the four-month training camp for the July 4-6 US Open.
The fiercely contested qualifiers saw more than 90 fighters, ranging from 12-year-olds to adults, contesting for 15 spots in male and female divisions. An all-day affair, the qualifiers required no entry fee of participants and was open to all martial arts schools, irrespective of art form.
Organiser Dr Jason McKay expressed pleasure in the turnout and spirit exhibited by the athletes.
“I am pleased to see the interest and passion demonstrated by the athletes in their efforts to qualify. Similar to last year, we opened the event to all martial arts schools and established a judges’ panel, comprising a variety of arts, to ensure a fair selection process,” McKay pointed out.
Last year, Jamaica’s combined martial arts team marked its return to the US Open by reaping 37 medals, including four senior gold, topped by Stone’s Night of Champions victory.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted Jamaica’s participation at the US Open, world’s biggest martial arts tournament, the island had dominated the event in 2019 by winning 54 medals – 19 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze.
US Open 2024 qualifiers results: Girls 8-9 years
1. Kayonna Dailey Shai Tai Kickboxing
2. Athekia Howell Shai Tai Kickboxing
Boys 8-9 years
1. Jahsiyah Campbell-Shai Tai Kickboxing
2. Jordan Williams-Red Dragon Taekwon-Do Centre
Girls 10-11 years
1. Kacian Bell-Shai Tai Kickboxing
2. Arianna Brown-ShaiTai Kickboxing
Boys 10-11 years
1. Nasir Mills-Shai Tai Kickboxing
2. Joezir DuncanShai Tai Kickboxing
Girls 12-13 years
1. Jannah Cousley-Ultimate Taekwondo Jamaica
2. AkhaylahGilzene-Future Leaders
Boys 12-13 years (Advance Belt)
1. Shomari Shukura-Red Dragon Taekwon-Do Centre
2. Kieshawn Austin-Jamaica Taekwondo Federation
Boys 12-13 years (Black Belt)
1. Tajae Webb-Jamaica Taekwondo Federation