Guyana grabbed six medals at inaugural Inter-Guianas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Jul 25, 2023 Sports

By Rawle Toney

Kaieteur Sports – In their effort to demonstrate that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu could be included in the Inter Guiana Games (IGG), athletes from French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana participated in a one-day tournament in Paramaribo on July 23.

The event was organized by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu officials from the three Guianas and attracted 100 competitors.

Sensi Bruce Fraser, from the Pheonix Jiu-Jitsu club, supervised the nine athletes from Guyana and returned yesterday with six medals from the tournament.

Katrina Ford (Female Absolute) and John Campayne (Heavyweight Advanced) emerged victorious in their respective divisions, while Josh Khan (white belt lightweight), Akel Barrington (blue belt), and Webster Mcrae Jr (Advanced light heavyweight) secured second-place finishes.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname at the inaugural championship.

Maheen Scott claimed the bronze medal in the white belt light heavyweight division.

Guyanese fighters that claimed medals at the inaugural Inter-Guianas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship in Suriname.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, Fraser revealed that the governments of the Guianas have not been officially approached yet, stating, “We wanted to show them that it was possible first and that it’s something that’s been happening for quite a while now.”

Fraser explained that most of the competitors were under the age of 21, a deliberate decision as the IGG focuses on student-athletes under 20.

The highly accomplished Fraser mentioned that the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) typically hosts a series of championships for U19 competitors.

Last year’s IGG featured over 500 athletes and officials from three countries, competing in Football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, badminton, swimming, and cycling.

The IGG held its first edition in 1967, with football (basketball started in 1972) being the inaugural sport played between Guyana and Suriname.

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athletes, Brazilian, inaugural, Inter Guiana Games (IGG), Jiu-Jitsu

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