Athletes Win Medals At Wushu Championships
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Athletes from the Bermuda Sanshou Association [BSA] secured an impressive haul of medals from the Pan American Wushu Championships in San Clara, California, at the weekend.
In the sanda discipline, which combines traditional kung fu with modern combat disciplines, Che Beane and Tristan Robinson won gold after securing victories in their competitive matches.
Krista Dyer, Muryah Swan, Geraldine Sidders and Ryah Symonds also claimed gold in uncontested matches.
Meanwhile, Enzi Johnston and Michael Burgess secured silver and Che Durham and Cole Durham won bronze at the regional competition held at the weekend.
In taolu, a set routine component of wushu that requires athletes to perform predetermined martial arts movements, Talia Iris won gold in sun taijiquan and yang taiji broadword, and bronze in taiji straight sword.
Garon Wilkinson, the BSA president, expressed his delight with the performances of the local athletes in sanda and taolu, specifically praising Kaelin Cox for his determination to compete despite an injury.
“I’m extremely pleased with our team’s performances,” Wilkinson told Bernews.
“We had some high and a couple of disappointments, especially with Kaelin getting injured during his preparations in Canada.
“He soldiered on, and his team-mates got behind him and he managed to compete in one event.”
Wilkinson, accompanied by officials Oscar Lightbourne, Nolette Webb and Dwayne Cox, added: “In sanda, there were individuals who didn’t have an exact match in their age and weight category; however, everyone had very competitive fights.
“There were some outstanding performances from Tristan Robinson, an extremely talented young man, and Che Beane, who fought incredibly well against an experienced Mexican opponent.
“Other outstanding performances included Krista Dyer, who fought a very game young opponent and showed her poise and experience, and teenager Ryah Swan, who dominated an adult fighter from the United States.”
Reflecting on the island’s displays in taolu, Wilkinson said: “Errin Cann, who is just 12, did very well in her first outing against much more seasoned competitors. We have very high hopes for her.
“Talia Iris, one of our most seasoned athletes, delivered extremely strong performances in t’ai chi.”
BSA team
Sanda
Male Juniors
Tristan Robinson 8-9 [65 lbs]
Female Teens
Enzi Johnston 15-17 [114.6 lbs]
Muryah Swan 15-17 [123.4 lbs]
Geraldine Sidders 12-14 [132.2 lbs]
Male Teens
Michael Burgess 15-17 [132.2 lbs]
Female Adults
Krista Dyer [143.3 lbs]
Ryah Symonds [154.3 lbs]
Male Adults
Che Durham [165.3 lbs]
Cole Durham [176.3 lbs]
Che Bean [187.3 lbs]
Taolu team
Kaelin Cox, Talia Iris and Errin Cann
