SVG well represented at 1st Caribbean Taekwondo Schools Championships

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Taekwondo Association (SVGTA) proudly and zealously represented St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at the recently concluded First Caribbean Taekwondo Schools Championships held at the Lions Cultural Centre in Woodbrook, Port of Spain Trinidad on Saturday, November 9.

The nine-member team was led by its coach, Fifth Dan Black Belt holder, Master Vanburn Harry of the Yin-Yang Martial Arts and Fitness Center and was aided by First Degree Black Belt holder, Isaac Sandy of the same dojang. The team of first-time competitors comprised six in the Sub-Juniors Division (ages 6-11), two in the Juniors Division (ages 12-17) and one adult in the senior division.

As the competition got on its way, the competitors set aside their first timer jitters to spar against their opponents. Overall, they fought with perseverance and an indomitable spirit, never giving up to their more experienced rivals.

In one very fiercely contested match, a passionate crowd of Vincentian supporters, comprised of parents, Vincentian nationals living in Trinidad and Trinidadians with ties to St Vincent, began a chant of “Chatoyer! Chatoyer! Chatoyer!” as Joris Neverson intensely defended his country’s honour against his Trinidadian opponent. It was not for lack of passion that Neverson was made to settle for a silver medal after being defeated by a controversial single point.

Representing SVG were: Jael Forbes – Sub Junior Division – Silver Medallist; Joris Neverson – Sub Junior Division – Silver Medallist; Jorden Sayers – Junior Division – Silver Medallist; Ajani Neverson – Sub Junior Division – Bronze Medallist; Jediah Sayers – Sub Junior Division – Bronze Medallist; Keanu Edwards – Sub Junior Division – Bronze Medallist; Vincent Beache – Sub Junior Division – Bronze Medallist; Melissa Robertson – Junior Division – Bronze Medallist; Jimmy John – Senior Division – Bronze Medallist.

This young and inexperienced team of Vincentian athletes represented SVG well; each team member secured a medal. The region was delivered the message—Vincentian Taekwondins will not go down without a fight!

Among the countries represented were Cayman Islands, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

President of the SVGTA, Vanburn Harry, expressed gratitude to the SVG Olympic Committee for its support which allowed the athletes the opportunity to participate in the tournament. The championships are scheduled to be an annual event to enable the region’s Taekwondo athletes to hone their sparring skills. The Vincentian team has already started training at the Yin Yang Martial Arts & Fitness Center in preparation for next year’s championships.