Grannum wins first US Open gold

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICA Taekwondo and Campion College's Tashauna Grannum finally won her first US Open gold medal, returning home last week from Orlando, Florida, with the continuous sparring black belt title.

Grannum won the gold medal which had eluded her for years at the US Open, the world's biggest martial arts open.

She has been one of Jamaica's star performers as a junior since 2004, has had mixed fortunes on the international black belt circuit, medalling on numerous occasions but falling short of gold.

However, she chose one of the world's biggest martial arts stages to announce herself in style over the Independence holiday weekend in Orlando.

"I feel very accomplished," said Grannum, who is a member a Jamaica's female combined martial arts team and also plays football and hockey for Campion College.

The multi-talented athlete not only won her first US Open gold medal; she did so in the adult division in her first attempt against senior black belts.

She admitted some self-doubt before hitting the mat, but said coach Jason McKay's encouragement spurred her on as she barreled past her opponents and into the final.

"Fighting adults, I figured they would be more experienced. It's like all the training I have put in has come through for me. In the final, my opponent was quick, but I was able to evade her and score points," she said.