We will fight! - Local martial artists claim discrimination, could head to court

FOUR Jamaican martial artists who struck gold at the recent New Jersey Open said they are determined to represent the country in Olympic tae kwon do on the international stage. They have lodged a formal complaint to the Jamaica Olympic Association, against the Jamaica Taekwondo Federation, citing discrimination, due to them being primarily International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) fighters.

"We are awaiting arbitration, which, if not successful, would move that battle to the courts," a spokesman for the group said last week after returning from the New Jersey Open, at which they showed their versatility in both styles of tae kwon do over two days.

Akino Lindsay won gold in ITF and Olympic World Taekwon-Do Federation (WTF) styles. He was joined by Tahj Hewitt, who gave Jamaica a second WTF gold. Ackeem Lawrence and Trevor Webb won ITF gold.

Lindsay defeated Nico Williams in a hard-fought match in ITF style, and had it easier the following day, cruising to victory in his WTF final.

Ackeem Lawrence fought hard in the final to get past Raul Riviera for his ITF gold. Trevor Webb was impressive, defeating Armani Bernard in his ITF final.

Tahj Hewitt, representing Jamaica's combined martial arts team's high-potential programme, threw a surprise by winning the WTF middleweight division.