SOUTH REWARD—More than 200 athletes competed in the St. Maarten Mixed Martial Arts Federation Spring Competition at the Milton Peters College gymnasium on Saturday.
Athletes from St. Martin, St. Maarten and St. Barths participated in more than 100 fights showcasing both Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Athletes from the Caribbean Shidokan Dojo, Caribbean Karate Oyama, Renzo Gracie St Maarten/SXM BJJ, Sityodtong St. Maarten Cole Bay and St. Peter’s alongside St. Barth BJJ represented their gyms with courage and sportsmanship.
Special awards were given for Fight of the Day and Submission/Win of the Day.
On the Jiu Jitsu side, St. Maarten’s 13 year old Nakysha Jederon won “Fight of the Day” for an impressive match with a 24 year old woman from St Barths. Nakysha stepped up as a last minute replacement for adult woman. She impressed the crowd with her determination and technique.
Submission of the day was earned by Purple belt Arweindh Punwasi for a reverse triangleagainst St Barths purple belt Rony Beal.
St Maarten standouts include Vlad Ahlip, Justice Lawrence, Sophia Chamas, Darina Smirnova, Megan Lockhorn and Rylan Benjamin.
Athletes Senik Porcasi, Maxime Rosa, Jaden Busby and Djhamar Euson competed in both kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu matches.
“Our aim with these events is to give the St Maarten Martial Artists a space where they can test their skills in two disciplines and to provide the community with a positive and character-building environment for the youths,” said Melissa Bardfield from St. Maarten Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The Spring Competition was made possible in part by sponsors GOsport SXM and Heavenly Water.
