The Jamaica Draughts Association crowned its first female champion during the National Pool Checkers Championships at the Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St Ann, on Sunday.

Dr Mishka Chung defeated Regina Stewart 2-0 in the finals to achieve the feat.

The tournament saw the second-largest number of participants in JDA Nationals history, surpassed only by the 2024 JDA Nationals.

The event also boasted the highest number of juniors participating in a National Tournament. This shows the growing interest in draughts among Jamaica’s youth. The surge in participation comes from the JDA’s efforts to promote the game and give young players chances to develop their skills.

Aside from the crowning of Chung as the first female national champion, the event witnessed several other groundbreaking moments.

Shaveir Jadoo emerged as the Youth Champion, solidifying Jamaica’s future in draughts. These achievements are a testament to the growing interest in draughts among Jamaica’s youth and the JDA’s commitment to promoting strategic thinking and critical thinking.

In the Top Masters Division, International Grandmaster Wayne ‘Shines’ Reid claimed top honours, followed by International Master Courtney ‘Carlos’ Thompson and Top Master Jason ‘School Boy’ Wisdom.

Last year’s National Champion, Federation Master Jermaine “Wasp” Hutchinson, finished in a respectable 4th place, highlighting the intense competition.

The JDA is set to host Jamaica’s first Draughts 100 (10×10 International Draughts) national trials in March 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s draughts history.

This new variant of the game will see Jamaica’s top players compete for the chance to represent the nation at the Pan American Championships in Paramaribo, Suriname, in April 2026.