Local trios competing at Kickboxing World

October 30, 2022

215

[Written by Stephen Wright]

Three Bermuda MMA fighters test their skills at the World Kickboxing Karate Association [WKA] World Championship next week in Prestatyn, Wales.

Krista Dyer, Choi Durham and Karan Todd Represent Bermuda Sanshou Association [BSA] in the Glory and K1 categories for the 4-day championship starting Monday [October 31].

This is the first time a Bermuda team will be competing in a WKA competition.

BSA president Garon Wilkinson, who will accompany the team, said the excitement within the group was palpable as it will be the first international competition since the World Wushu Championships held in Shanghai in 2019.

“As far as our expectations are concerned, it’s hard to say,” Wilkinson told Bernews. “This tournament brings together a very high level of players.

“We prepared well. Our fight camp overlapped with the Fight Night Champions event last weekend, so we were able to do some quality training and sparring.”

Team captain Dyer, 34, will compete in the women’s division at £139. Che Durham, 28, is competing in the men’s division where she weighs 154 pounds. Todd, 16, competed in the men’s division from age 16 to age 17, where she weighed over 209 pounds.

“This is the lightest category Krista has fought,” said Wilkinson. “Normally she fights at 143 or 145 pounds.

“She’s in great shape and obviously I believe her strength will give her an edge in the underweight category.”

Wilkinson adds: He often has to fight adults. We are especially excited for him. He is an extraordinary athlete and is improving with each session. We expect great things from him. ”

Wilkinson is looking to add another feather to his cap by earning a black belt in kickboxing at the event.

“There is an opportunity to participate in black belt grading,” said Wilkinson, who already owns several black belts in various martial arts.

“Hopefully I can achieve that and create opportunities for other local coaches and athletes to pursue it.

The championship features Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Full Contact and Light Contact, Combat Boxing, K1, K1 Light, Low Kicks, Low Kick Lights, Karate, Mixed Martial Arts, Glory Rules and Parasport.