Krista Dyer Named Athlete Of The Month
Krista Dyer has been recognised for her achievements in the sport of Sanda after being named the International Wushu Federation Athlete of the Month for November.
Dyer, the island’s most successful women’s Sanda [Chinese kickboxing] competitor, has enjoyed plenty of success on the world stage in recent years.
She won a silver medal in the 65kg division at the World Wushu Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, gold at the Pan American Kungfu Championships in Markham, Ontario, both last year and a gold medal at the Pan American Wushu Championships in San Clara, California, in September.
Dyer, who represents the Bermuda Sanshou Association [BSA], believes the sport is growing on the island, especially with females.
“In BSA there was one other woman at the time, Talia Iris,” Dyer told www.iwuf.com.
“She is a lifelong martial artist and continues to practice forms in various arts.
“As the years have gone on, the number of girls and women in the club has steadily increased. Now, there are sometimes more girls than guys in a class.”
“My first competition fight was a hybrid rules competition against another local fighter from a different martial art.
“It was to be her first fight too. I consider this a fantastic coincidence as there weren’t and still aren’t many local women fighters.
“Needless to say, I was super nervous for the fight, and I think I cried at least four times in the weeks leading up.”
The 36-year-old made her international debut at the World Wushu Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2015.
“Though our fight team was small, we had a sizable entourage,” she said.
“It made the long journey fun! I had learned by then that nerves were a part of the package, so mentally I was more prepared.
“Though I lost in my first match, I feel as though I made myself and my team proud with my performance.”
Last year, she headed to Fort Worth for the World Wushu Championships, where she became Bermuda’s most successful female Sanda athlete, finishing runner-up.
“I hadn’t been that excited for a victory in a very long time,” Dyer said.
“I knew that this meant so much for not only me, but for the Bermuda Sanshou Association and wushu in Bermuda as well.
“The girls I fought, were top notch athletes – well established in their regions.
“Raising the profile of my team both locally and internationally is my top priority when I compete.
“Wushu is growing in Bermuda, but we’d like to make it bigger and take it further.
“Getting the attention of future athletes and competitors, the government and corporate sponsors is key for the survival of wushu in Bermuda.
“Like any sport, we need bodies, and we need funds. We have the talent – we now need to grow the pool.”
Dyer said she enjoys the responsibility of being one of the BSA’s senior athletes and hopes to inspire the next generation of competitors.
“In Bermuda, since I started my Sanda career, most noticeably there has been the introduction of our youth programme,” she added.
“The youngest students start at five years old. Sanda allows for a lot of creativity. I think this is one of its more attractive features.
“Athletes can be successful and let their individuality shine. I think this is great to keep students engaged and also to develop into MMA [mixed martial arts] if they choose.”
KD Well deserved!