Two Taekwondo athletes qualify for CAC Games

Apr 23, 2014 Sports

The Guyana Taekwondo Association (GTA) has revealed that two of its athletes have qualified to participate in the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) to be held in Veracruz, Mexico, November 15-18, 2014, following their participation at the recent CAC Qualification tournament.

CAC Taekwondo qualifiers Kenrick Sven Lorrimer (left) and Athlete Jibreel Malik (right) with Coach Stephen Amundson.

Kenrick Sven Lorrimer who entered in the Flyweight division and Jibreel Malik who competed in the Bantamweight category both earned spots for Guyana at the first CAC Qualification Tournament held recently in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Lorrimer fought against a very tough opponent from Puerto Rico in what was an exciting battle for the duration of the match. In the two round contest both athletes delivered exciting and superior kicks and at the end of the two rounds the score was tied at a 4 – 4 which meant that the match had to go to a sudden-death round.
With a quick and decisive blow Lorrimer secured the opportunity to take the fight resulting in Guyana earning its first spot for Taekwondo.
Then it was over to Jibreel Malik who had suffered mixed results in his match against the Dominican Republic champion. Nonetheless, Malik put up a good fight against the experienced champion to secure Guyana’s second spot for Taekwondo.
Malik has stated that though he entered the ring with the wrong strategy against his much taller and experienced opponent he will use this experience as a stepping stone in preparations for the upcoming CAC games.
After finishing up in Santo Domingo, it was off to Cali, Columbia for Lorrimer where he earned himself a fully sponsored trip earlier in the year to compete in the Columbian Open Taekwondo Championships.
In Columbia, Lorrimer defeated a Columbian fighter in a 17-6 margin but had to bow out in the quarter finals due to his many injuries suffered in Santo Domingo. Malink on the other hand, went on to compete in the German Taekwondo Open but was unable to clinch any medals after suffering a severe injury in Hamburg, Germany.
Nonetheless, both athletes have expressed gratitude for being able to compete at these events. They also expressed many thanks to their Coaches, Trainers, Masters and the GTA for affording them the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the GTA executive has also expressed their joy and satisfaction in having the two athletes represent and qualify for the CAC Games.
The public is being reminded that Taekwondo classes are held at the Guyana Teacher’s Union Hall, Woolford Avenue every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 17:00hrs to 18:30hrs. Further information can be obtained from Roy Bacchus on 644 4402.