All eight Trinidad and Tobago judokas medalled at the 14th Annual Barbados International Judo Tournament at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Wildey, Barbados at the weekend.
T&T junior judokas won five gold, one silver and two bronze when the competition, that included 142 of the region’s top Judokas, converged in the “Land of the Flying Fish”.
The squad, coached by 2014 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games bronze medallist Christopher George and managed by Nigel Lopez, saw Jellion Jackman, Giovanni Lopez, Gabriella Wood, Xavier Jones and Luke Walk all walk away with gold medals while Joshua Ahwai captured silver and Adam Sui Butt and Adrian Aquan claimed one bronze apiece.
Six Caribbean powerhouses in judo converged in Barbados to test their skills at the Caribbean’s most important event on the region’s circuit. This meet, which is also used as a training ground for the region’s future Olympians, attracted countries such as St Lucia, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago and hosts Barbados.
Trinidad and Tobago, fielding one of the smaller teams with eight (8) judokas treated spectators to very exciting judo. The contingent of youngsters, many of whom were first time regional competitors, competed ferociously and earned a third place team finish overall.