Jamaica's silver and gold medallists in continuous fighting at the United States Open World Martial Arts Championship, Shiah Shukura and Alrick Wanliss, show off their side kicks and trophies won at the United States Martial Arts Open in Orlando, Florida, on Friday. - Contributed

MONTEGONIANS Alrick Wanliss and Shiah Shukura on Friday won individual black belt gold and silver medals, respectively, in continuous fighting at the US Open World Martial Arts Championships in Orlando, Florida.

The Jamaica combined martial arts teammates capped an outstanding day for Jamaica on the mats, adding individual silverware to their successful defence of the Busta US Open World Continental Team Fighting Championship.

Wanliss, undoubtedly Jamaica's most improved fighter over the last two years, went one better in the 18-29 men's 149 lb and under division after finishing second to teammate Nicholas Dussard at last year's Open.

It was Wanliss' second major gold medal in less than a year, after winning the microweight gold at the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Cup in Italy last October.

Shukura, a surprise silver medallist in the 18-29 men's 190 lb and over division last year, repeated his feat at the Open to redeem himself after a disappointing opening bout in the World Continental Team Fighting Championship.

Whereas Wanliss took advantage of the absence of Dussard to win the lightweight division, Shukura was stopped by the big German, defending champion Muris Horstman, who trimmed down significantly from last year and was quicker.

However, Shukura fought gallantly to make the final, getting past world champion Denis Turnes of Argentina before facing Horstman.

"I was a bit tight this morning," Shukura said after losing to Horstman in a close contest.

"That was not me in the team match. I don't know what happened. After that, I went to a corner, put on my 'hoody' and warmed up. What you saw out there was the real Shiah," the Jamaican six-footer added, immediately requesting to be added to the points sparring list for yesterday's competition.

The Jamaican black belt seniors also earned a silver and two bronze medals on Friday.

Combined team captain Jason McKay and Ningen's Keith Edwards took home bronze in the two-man team-fighting contest.

bronze

Edwards also won bronze in the 40-49 men adult traditional weapons and Heather Campbell of Rising Sun took home silver in the women 40 and over traditional weapons.

Overall, participants in the Busta US Open World Continental Team Fighting Championship also shone in individual continuous fighting on Friday, dominating hyper-weight through Germany's Horstman, Jamaica's Shukura and Argentina's Turnes, first to third, respectively.

Wanliss won the 18-29 149 lb and under, the United States' Jorge Velazquez landed the 150-159 lb division and Germany's Michael Hubert took home the 180-189 lb title.

The Jamaicans are out to add to their medal tally as points sparring started yesterday morning.