Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
THE fifth International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Champion-ship, dubbed 'The Rendezvous of Champions', officially got under way yesterday afternoon at the Laval University Stadium in Quebec, Canada, with the federation's president, Master Tran Trieu Quan, and other tournament officials outlining activities for the May 31 to June 3 Martial Arts championship.
Approximately 700 athletes from 56 countries are down to participate in what has been described as the most prestigious and biggest taekwondo championship in the world.
Jamaica's delegation, one of the smallest, comprising 10 athletes and five officials, arrived in Quebec City late Tuesday night and will attend the official weigh-in this morning, starting 8:30 at the Sports Complex.
Due to the small contingent of fighters being fielded by Jamaica, the islanders won't be in contention to challenge for the overall title against other countries such as hosts Canada and world champions Poland, who both boast more than 80 competitors each.
Performances
However, strong individual performances are expected from the likes of Kenneth Edwards, who will compete in the 176lb heavyweight division.
Alrick Wanliss, the Montego Bay teenager who currently holds a 2006 microweight World Cup sparring bronze, will again compete in that division. The veteran Arthur Barrows, a 2004 World Cup heavyweight bronze medallist, will compete as a 156lb middleweight after shedding 30lb to challenge for the title in peak condition.
Captained by Jason McKay, the team also comprises 13-year-old Tashana Grannum of Campion College, who will compete in the 121lb junior female sparring.
Attending her second World Championship, Grannum will also participate in the first degree black belt patterns. It will be her first international black belt appearance.
Captain McKay said the tournament would serve as the 2007 international opener for most of the Jamaican fighters.
"It's a bit early in the year to be facing the world's best but I am expecting our fighters to do well individually with our best hope of medalling being Edwards," McKay said. Master Quan, a ninth degree Grand Master, praised Jamaica's progress, saying he was pleased with the Caribbean nation in a largely European dominated sport.
"I am very impressed with the progress I saw in the past two years from the Jamaican athletes especially at the last World Cup in Spain," Quan said. "The quality is very good and I hope they will get a good result." Meanwhile, Canadian Kurt Ottesen, a member of the tournament and umpires committees, said the championship attracted the best athletes from around the world and pointed to eight world champions on display at the press conference.
"In patterns, we will see the best of the best, athletes who have mastered their bodies to perform a routine sequence to perfection," Ottesen said.
"Sparring requires discipline and strength of the athletes and in power breaking you will see athletes, who have hardened their bodies to break objects."
