Bermuda San Da fighters Sentwali Woolridge and Khalid Pitcher secured big wins at the 12th Wushu Worlds Championships going on in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to earn a spot in the Quarter-Finals.
Bermuda's Reigning Bronze Medalist Jermal Woolridge earned a spot in the Semi-Finals. Representing! Jiayou!
Sentwali Woolridge defeated Mamataliev Nurlanbek from Kyrgyzstan 2 round to 0, Woolridge won the first round convincingly however it came down to the wire in the second round when Woolridge pushed Nurlanbek off the lei tai at the buzzer to secure the win.
Pitcher took on Mabongo Ruben Cruz from Gabon. Pitcher loss the first round after being forced of the lei tai twice in the round. The second round was full ofexchanges and towards the end of the round Pitcher landed a spinning back fist that really rocked his opponent, that was followed by a leg kick forcing Cruz off the lei tai.
The judges awarded the second round to Pitcher forcing the fight to be decided with a third and final round, however Cruz was unable to return still suffering from the effects of the back fist and leg kick forcing his coach to hold up the RETIREMENT PEDAL.
Sentwali Woolridge will face Shen Li from China and Pitcher will go up against the current World Cup Champion Abdelhamid Elsayad from Egypt in their Quarter-Final matches.
Jeron Gunness taking part in his first World Wushu Championships took on the host countries Tan Jia Guan and was stopped in the second round.
Garon Wilkinson competed in Changquan on the opening day and then Gunshu on day two, Wilkinson finished with scores of 7.07 and 7.23 to place 60th and 53rd respectively.
Wilkinson will finish competing when he takes to the platform to take part in the Daoshu.
Wilkinson said, “Although my scores and placing’s do not reflect it, my performances at the Wushu Worlds are an improvement over my last performances at the World Games in Cali, Colombia. I was very pleased with my Changquan and Gunshu routines. To think that at the beginning of the year I could not land an aerial or butterfly twist but now I am executing with no problem and without causing injury.”
Pitcher said, “I could not have done it without my Bermuda San Shou Association team, family and friends. Still a tough road ahead but I know I have the support and momentum to go forward.”
