Sentwali Woolridge and Reyel Bowen both won gold medals at the Pan American Sanda World Cup in Monterrey, Mexico, at the weekend.

Woolridge, who won the silver medal at the Sanda World Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, last month, claimed top honours in the men’s 75kg division, while Bown conquered the men’s 85kg division to complete Bermuda’s impressive medal haul.

Woolridge’s victory did not come without a cost as he suffered a cut to the face from a spinning back kick from a Mexican opponent in the final.

“Sentwali showed a lot of character to take a hit as hard as he did and still manage to stay composed enough to come out the victor,” Garon Wilkinson, the Bermuda Sanshou Association president, said.

“Sentwali’s match was really tough.”

In contrast, Bowen dominated his Mexican opponent in the final of his weight class.

“Reyel fought a great match,” Wilkinson said.

“He was able to capitalise on a lot of straight punches with some leg kicks in between, had great head movement and was able to keep his distance.”

Wilkinson added: “This closes the curtain on a very successful year for Bermuda Sanshou Association.

“It brings our international medal tally to nine; five gold, two silver and two bronze from the Pan American Wushu Championships, Sanda World Cup and Pan Am Sanda World Cup.

“I’m extremely pleased and looking forward to a big year in 2015.”