KINGSTON, Jamaica  —  Jamaica’s draught players represented well during the recently concluded American Pool Checkers Association (APCA) Annual Tournament in Memphis, Tennessee.

The delegation from the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA) had an outstanding international campaign – capturing three major trophies and producing historic individual achievements – further strengthening the country’s reputation on the global stage.

Competing against 68 of the world’s strongest pool checker players from the United States, Kenya, The Bahamas, the Caribbean and other countries, Jamaica deliberately concentrated its resources on the Top Masters and Masters – the tournament’s two highest and most competitive divisions.

That strategy paid dividends as International Grandmaster (IGM) Wayne ‘Shine’ Reid produced another elite performance, finishing second overall after drawing both eventual champion IGM Crispin Ojwang and 17-time APCA champion, GM Alfred ‘East Point’ Barnett.

Deputy Superintendent Jermaine Delattibudiere, who is also president of the JDA, defeated Barnett, becoming the first Jamaican to beat the legendary American in competition. The victory propelled him from three consecutive sixth-place finishes (2023-2025) to a career-best fourth-place finish.

Ricardo Roach finished just two points shy of the Masters title, earning a well-deserved second-place trophy and demonstrating the country’s growing strength beyond its established stars.

After the tournament, Grandmaster Barnett donated two classical draughts boards to the JDA while commending the association’s progress and long-term vision.

APCA President Albert Harrison praised the JDA executive for their leadership, communication, and collaboration, describing the association as an important partner in delivering one of the most competitive APCA championships in recent memory.

In 2023, Jamaica produced one of its greatest international performances by capturing four trophies in the prestigious Top Masters Division, with Reid winning the championship.