Tweet
'Talent Abounds In High Schools'
Published: Saturday | July 20, 2013 0 Comments
Herbert Stewart
Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer
NO-NONSENSE martial arts practitioner, Herbert 'Herbie' Stewart, fifth degree instructor at Jamaica Taekwondo, is confident that Jamaica's growth on the international stage will be further fuelled by emerging talent.
Stewart was the man in charge of Jamaica's junior male team at the recent US Open in Orlando. He also coaches Wolmer's Boys' School in the Jamaica Taekwondo McKay Security High School League.
A respected 25-year veteran, Stewart was proud of his high schoolers who took home 16 of 27 medals won by Jamaica Taekwondo in Orlando.
"Most of the fighters who are now on the combined team started from the high-school league," Stewart said, explaining the systematic succession process.
"The juniors who are here now, that's their goal, to be on the combined team. It's a great motivator for them to one day make the senior team," he pointed out.
Six of Jamaica Taekwondo's gold medals from the Open were won by students from St George's College, Jamaica College, Calabar High, Wolmer's Boys' and Kingston College, participants in the high-school league.
St George's College's Aziza Taylor won double gold in sparring to top his age group at the biggest martial arts tournament in the world.
Malik Anderson, of non-traditional Braeton Primary and Junior High, also won gold. Braeton does not participate in the league but Anderson represented his school with pride.
High-school battle
In the high-school league, fighters from St George's, Jamaica College, Calabar, Wolmer's, Cornwall and Kingston College battle each other at major local tournaments throughout the year for the high-school title.
A joint venture by McKay Security and Jamaica Taekwondo, the league was formed to instill discipline and academic excellence among high-school boys.
The programme has a much sought after academic scholarship component, sponsored by the security firm.
"Most of these guys want to attend university and one of the aim is they try their best to improve their grades to get scholarships," said Stewart.
"They, however, have to train and bring in their grades so I can vouch for them," he added.
"That's a big competition. However, if they find out a member of the group is not improving, falling behind in schoolwork, they help each other with schoolwork," Stewart pointed out.
Six gold - Aziza Taylor (2) (St George's College), continuous sparring 15-17 and clash sparring 16-17; Akino Lindsay (St George's), clash sparring, 16-17; Malik Anderson (Braeton Primary and Junior High), clash sparring 14-15; Chavaughn Wilkins (Jamaica College), clash sparring, 14-15; Tahj Hewitt, continuous sparring 14-15.
Four silver - Christopher Campbell (Calabar), clash sparring, 16-17; Tahj Hewitt (Jamaica College), clash sparring 14-15; Tye McKay (Calabar), clash sparring 12-13; Akeel Andrews (Wolmer's), clash sparring 12-13.
Six bronze - Kemoi Bryan (Wolmer's Boys'), clash sparring, 16-17; Jordane Emanuel (Calabar), clash sparring 14-15; Maurice Hibbert (Kingston College), clash sparring, 15-17; Paz Rodriques (Kingston College), clash sparring 14-15; Tye McKay (Calabar), clash sparring 12-13.
Published: Saturday | July 20, 2013 0 Comments
Herbert Stewart
Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer
NO-NONSENSE martial arts practitioner, Herbert 'Herbie' Stewart, fifth degree instructor at Jamaica Taekwondo, is confident that Jamaica's growth on the international stage will be further fuelled by emerging talent.
Stewart was the man in charge of Jamaica's junior male team at the recent US Open in Orlando. He also coaches Wolmer's Boys' School in the Jamaica Taekwondo McKay Security High School League.
A respected 25-year veteran, Stewart was proud of his high schoolers who took home 16 of 27 medals won by Jamaica Taekwondo in Orlando.
"Most of the fighters who are now on the combined team started from the high-school league," Stewart said, explaining the systematic succession process.
"The juniors who are here now, that's their goal, to be on the combined team. It's a great motivator for them to one day make the senior team," he pointed out.
Six of Jamaica Taekwondo's gold medals from the Open were won by students from St George's College, Jamaica College, Calabar High, Wolmer's Boys' and Kingston College, participants in the high-school league.
St George's College's Aziza Taylor won double gold in sparring to top his age group at the biggest martial arts tournament in the world.
Malik Anderson, of non-traditional Braeton Primary and Junior High, also won gold. Braeton does not participate in the league but Anderson represented his school with pride.
High-school battle
In the high-school league, fighters from St George's, Jamaica College, Calabar, Wolmer's, Cornwall and Kingston College battle each other at major local tournaments throughout the year for the high-school title.
A joint venture by McKay Security and Jamaica Taekwondo, the league was formed to instill discipline and academic excellence among high-school boys.
The programme has a much sought after academic scholarship component, sponsored by the security firm.
"Most of these guys want to attend university and one of the aim is they try their best to improve their grades to get scholarships," said Stewart.
"They, however, have to train and bring in their grades so I can vouch for them," he added.
"That's a big competition. However, if they find out a member of the group is not improving, falling behind in schoolwork, they help each other with schoolwork," Stewart pointed out.
Six gold - Aziza Taylor (2) (St George's College), continuous sparring 15-17 and clash sparring 16-17; Akino Lindsay (St George's), clash sparring, 16-17; Malik Anderson (Braeton Primary and Junior High), clash sparring 14-15; Chavaughn Wilkins (Jamaica College), clash sparring, 14-15; Tahj Hewitt, continuous sparring 14-15.
Four silver - Christopher Campbell (Calabar), clash sparring, 16-17; Tahj Hewitt (Jamaica College), clash sparring 14-15; Tye McKay (Calabar), clash sparring 12-13; Akeel Andrews (Wolmer's), clash sparring 12-13.
Six bronze - Kemoi Bryan (Wolmer's Boys'), clash sparring, 16-17; Jordane Emanuel (Calabar), clash sparring 14-15; Maurice Hibbert (Kingston College), clash sparring, 15-17; Paz Rodriques (Kingston College), clash sparring 14-15; Tye McKay (Calabar), clash sparring 12-13.
Comment