Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 22, 2013 Sports
Guyana Taekwondo Association (GTA) Coaches, Ramjeet Ramphal and Roy Bacchus while expressing some degree of satisfaction with the performances of their team, at the just concluded 6th Lie’s Annual Open Taekwondo Tournament in Suriname on June 15 have articulated their disappointment that the team was not able to cop any gold medals.
The tournament attracted top juniors and senior fighters from French Guiana, Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, Guyana and the host nation.
Guyana was able to secure three (3) medals at this competition. One Sliver in the in the male Under-54kgs from Kawall Ramkiran, one Bronze in the same class (male-54kgs) from Orlando Van-Rossum, and another Bronze in the Male Bantam division from Brian Woolford.
Guyana was represented by an 11 member male and female squad which included: Coach-Master Ramjeet Ramphal, Team Manager La Toya Herbert and 9 athletes; Kawall Ramkiran, Orlando Van-Rossum, Brian Woolford, Wayne Forde, Recardo Narine, Stefan Wong, Saudai Mohamed, Suraiya Mohamed, and Kevin Gomes.
The GTA Coaches were confident that Kawall Ramkiran and Orlando Van-Russum (who are both in the same weight division) could have upset the reigning Surinamese champion in that division for the gold. However, they were both unable to achieve that objective.
Ramkiran who fought the Surinamese champion last year and lost entered the fight a bit timid and nervous knowing his competitors’ experience level was well above his, and as such he was unable to seal the fight, having to settle for Silver.
However, in Kawalls’ two earlier matches he delivered two resounding wins against his opponents, winning by 14-8 in the first fight and 9-8 in the second fight.
Nonetheless, it was young Orlando Van-Rossum who had earlier shaken up the reigning Surinamese champion.
Van-Rossum entered the ring with determination and a will to win. He has had numerous successes in his early Taekwondo career but had to give up Taekwondo to focus on his academic career – which he has also been successful in, thanks to his mother’s support and presence.
Van-Rossum made a very strong comeback after a two-year absence from the competition ring when he faced off with the reigning Surinamese champion Kevin Fernald.
Going into the fight, Van-Rossum appeared nervous in the early minutes of the first round realizing that his competitor was much stronger, more experienced and the heavy favorite to win. The Suriname champion executed superior aerial techniques and got the better of Van-Rossum. The Guyanese athlete however stated that he’s prepared to train much harder to do better next time.
Brian Woolford who has also been no stranger to the competition ring, achieved a convincing win in his first match moving into a 14-9 lead but was unable to hold onto the gold medal round as he narrowly lost to his Curacao counterpart by a 7-9 margin.
Woolford, who has also had many successes in Taekwondo both as a child and as a young adult, continues to show promise of becoming a great Taekwondo athlete if he trains harder. He is committed to training harder and hopes to bring back nothing but gold at the next competition.
Wayne Forde and Ricardo Narine were matched against experienced and seasoned Black Belt fighters superior in height but they still displayed a great desire to win but were unable to clinch any medals.
Making their debut performances on the Taekwondo scene were Stefan Wong, Kevin Gomes, and sisters Saudai and Suraiya Mohamed.
They were also matched against opponents who were above their levels but still managed to stand up to them and deliver good performances. Though they were all unable to medal, they still performed credibly.
They Mohamed sisters became the first female fighters under the auspices of the GTA to fight on the International scene. They both performed above expectations and are hoping to do much better the next time.
The GTA stated that making it to competitions of this standard have always been a challenge financially but they would like to extend appreciation to New GPC INC and K.P. Thomas for their generous donations which helped to offset some of their expenses in preparations for this competition.
The GTA is also appealing to other sponsors to get on board to partner with them in assisting young athletes fulfill their Taekwondo dreams while putting Guyana on the map.
Gratitude was also extended to Coach/Master Ramphal, Coach/Master Roy Bacchus, Team Manager La Toya Herbert, and all other persons who would have contributed towards making the Suriname sojourn, a reality and success.
Meanwhile, the GTA Coaches are informing that training will begin immediately in preparations for future competitions. Taekwondo classes are held at Guyana Teachers Union Hall, Woolford Avenue every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 17:00hrs to 18:30hrs.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]