Jamaican fighters from six martial arts schools are set to face the world’s best fighters at the International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) United States Open at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, from July 4-6.

Jamaica Taekwondo Centre, Ultimate Taekwondo, Future Leaders Eagle Karate, Shai-Tai Kick-boxing, Jamaica Taekwondo Academy, and Red Dragon Taekwondo are the local martial arts schools with fighters at the US Open.

Winners of 23 divisions at the McKay Security Senior and Juniors ISKA World US Open Invitational Qualifiers won full sponsorship to the tournament.

Captain Ackeem Lawrence said that the sponsored fighters underwent rigorous training, starting a month after the qualifiers.

“We trained the sponsored athletes in a special US Open camp, from March until the end of this month, preparing them for the Open,” he said.

Multiple US Open champion Akino Lindsay has high hopes for the juniors, some as young as age 10, who won their places at February’s McKay Security Senior and Juniors ISKA World US Open Invitational Qualifiers.

“It’s the first time for some of the juniors. The US Open is a very difficult tournament but I am hopeful of them doing their best and bringing home some medals,” Lindsay, one of Jamaica’s most decorated ISKA fighters.

Coach and delegation head, Jason McKay, said the selection fight-off for juniors was chosen after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the McKay Security High School League.

“The fight-off will be an annual event with the aim to select the best possible squad,” McKay said. “All martial arts schools are eligible for the tournament circuit to participate in the selection process.”

Competing last year with 33 fighters, Jamaica won 37 medals, well below 2019 when they dominated the event, flying home with 54 medals — 19 gold, 15 silver, and 20 bronze.

Nicholas Dusard led the way with two gold medals, lifting light heavyweight black belt titles in continuous and clash sparring.

Richard Stone, Jamaica’s three-time US Open world champion, defeated the USA’s Sheldon Spencer in the match of the night on the ESPN-televised Night of Champions Special for the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Championship bout.