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Ackeem Lawrence - File photos
WHEN Jamaica College found themselves with backs against the wall, depleted by injury and taking on Kingston College (KC) in the high schools' final of the recent McKay Security Invitational and Junior Open Tae Kwon Do tournament, it took a gutsy performance from 16-year-old Ackeem Lawrence to deny The Purples.
Overwhelming favourites to lift the title inside the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the University of Technology, Jamaica College needed only a draw in the final match of the high schools' league to be crowned champions.
However, injury left the favourites with just three available fighters, including Lawrence, for the five-man contest.
Jamaica College's perilous position meant they could not have afforded to lose a bout in the final, having got past Wolmer's to face powerful Kingston College, led by captain and national representative, Shamar Morgan.
A confident Kingston College, held back captain Morgan for the last bout as Jamaica College won the first two through Dominic Young and Adrian Moore.
Morgan stepped on to the mat confident of his ability to get past the lightweight Lawrence, his national teammate.
Whereas weight rules govern most fighting events, in open tae kwon do team events, differing weight classes often meet.
Morgan, seemingly believing he got the luck of the draw, was in for a shocker as the lighter Lawrence scored an upset win to hand JC the title.
Being heavier and one of the better talents in the country, Morgan was expected to walk over the light Lawrence, who had significantly less experience.
Using speed and determination, Lawrence fought his way through the confident guard of Morgan, handing Jamaica College victory and the 2009 high schools' league title.
