Jamaica Taekwondo: (from left) Christopher Campbell, Ashieka Dyer, Kemoi Bryan, Paz Rodriques, Maurice Hibbert, Aziza Taylor, Donald Francis, Chavaughn Wilkins, Tajh Hewitt, Tye McKay, Akeel Andrews, Subrina Richards, Malik Anderson and Jordane Emanuel. - Contributed
Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer
Jamaica outdid itself at the weekend's International Sports Karate Association United States Open, grabbing a record 91 medals, after adding 52 pieces on Saturday's final day of action at the Coronado Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Saturday's haul included 18 gold, 17 silver and as many bronze, as Jamaica shot past the 83 medals won last year at the world's biggest martial arts open.
Rising Sun Academy emerged the top Jamaican school with 11 gold and 33 medals overall, holding off a late surge from Jamaica Taekwondo, which picked up nine gold in their haul of 27.
Jamaica had set the tone for a record-breaking weekend from Thursday when the male and female combined teams won gold and silver, respectively, in the Continental Gold Cup, taking on the United States, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.
Over the last two days, Jamaican competitors - ages four to 40-plus - again stamped their mark and turned heads in every ring they competed.
Jamaica Taekwondo's Ashieka Dyer was the top adult black belt performer - male or female - with two gold medals, continuous and clash sparring.
"It's my first time getting two gold and it felt great. I am proud of myself," said Dyer, who is in her second year of competition as an adult black belt.
The 19-year-old University College of the Caribbean student and Merl Grove High alumnus, first won gold at the Open last year when she took the continuous sparring title, which she defended on Friday.
Saturday's medals
Jamaica Taekwondo, 18 medals (27 overall)
Six gold - Ackeem Lawrence, black belt, clash sparring; Ashieka Dyer, gold, 18-29, adult black belt, clash sparring; Aziza Taylor, clash sparring 16-17; Akino Lindsay, clash sparring, 16-17; Malik Anderson, clash sparring 14-15; Chavaughn Wilkins, clash sparring, 14-15.
Six silver - Nicholas Dussard, continuous sparring, black belt, Night of Champions; Adrian Moore, clash sparring, black belt; Christopher Campbell, clash sparring, 16-17; Tahj Hewitt, clash sparring 14-15; Tye McKay, clash sparring 12-13; Akeel Andrews, clash sparring 12-13.
Six bronze - Martin Pagon, black belt, clash sparring; Subrina Richards, black belt, clash sparring, 15-16; Kemoi Bryan, clash sparring, 16-17; Jordane Emanuel, clash sparring 14-15; Maurice Hibbert, clash sparring, 15-17; Paz Rodriques, clash sparring 14-15.
Rising Sun Academy - 13 medals (33)
Four gold - Michael Roache, points sparring, 14-15; Abigail Williams, forms, 6-7; Kevin Brown, clash sparring, adult black belt; Tiffany Haddon, clash sparring, 8-9.
Three silver - Amanda Allen, forms, 7-8; Daijon Budhai, points sparring, 6-7; Leon Beckford, forms, 14-15.
Six bronze - Summer Pottinger, points sparring, 11-12; Tiffany Haddon, forms, 8-9; Russell English, forms, 8-9; Samir Doshi, forms, 5 and under; Jodi-Ann Francis, forms, 12-13; Matthew Lawson, points sparring, 10-11.
Ningen Karate - Seven medals (13)
One gold - Suewellyn Wynter, traditional forms, 12-13 black belt.
Three silver - Suewellyn Wynter, points sparring, 12-13 black belt; Darren Gordon, traditional forms, 10-11; Liam Harrison, traditional forms, 5 and under.
Three bronze - Christopher Simpson, points sparring, 12-13; Atario Brown, traditional forms, 8-9; Liam Harrison, points sparring, 5 and under.
Future Leaders - Five medals (6)
Three gold - Sheckema Cunningham, clash sparring, black belt; Danielle Chang, clash sparring, black belt; Lincoln Malabver, gold, patterns, junior black belt.
One silver - Rasheed Welsh, points sparring
One bronze - Victoria Pitter, patterns, 9-10.
First Jamaica Zendo - Six medals (6)
Two Gold - Leopold Wigan, clash sparring, 8-9; Khaleel Fagan, clash sparring, 8-9.
Two Silver - Tyrique Tai-loy, forms, 10-11; Lincoln Wigan 10-11.
Two bronze - Tyrique Tai-Loy points sparring, 10-11; Monique Barrett, forms, adult black belt.
Sidekick Taekwondo - Three medals
One gold - Kevin McDowell, clash sparring, adult black belt.
Two silver - Kevin McDowell, continuous sparring, adult black belt (won Friday); Philip McDowell, clash sparring, adult black belt.