Jamaicans shine at NY taekwondo championship

A six-member Jamaican team from ESMA Taekwondo school are back on the island after brilliant performances in their first-ever overseas outing.

The team did exceptionally well at the Pai's Tae-Kwon-Do New York State Spring 2016 Championship which was held at Schenectady High School last Saturday, returning home with a 16 trophies.

In the adult female division, blue belt and first time competitor Dr Erica Forbes won first place in breaking, second place in sparring, and third place in forms, while her daughter, Alexandria Forbes, took first place in forms, first place in breaking and second place in the sparring contest.

Young Simon Hibbert also dominated the boys division gaining a first place in forms, first place in fighting and first place in breaking.

Third degree black belt and assistant instructors Ricardo Lewis and Matthew Huie also gained podium finishes with Lewis returning three trophies a first place in forms, first place in breaking and third place in fighting and Huie securing third place in breaking & third place in fighting.

ESMA's chief instructor Aston Ellis took second place in breaking and second place in forms.