Sentwali Woolridge and Reyel Bowen both suffered defeats in their opening bouts of the World Wushu Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday.

Woolridge was defeated by Sajjad Abbasiamir, of Iran, a multiple world champion and World Sanda Cup medallist in the 75kg division, while Bowen came up short in his bout against Sandor Molnar, of Hungary, in the 85kg. Both Bermuda kickboxers, who won medals at the Pan American Sanda Cup in Monterrey, Mexico, in September lost 2 rounds to 0.

Krista Dyer, the third member of Bermuda’s travelling team, also bowed out of the championships at the first hurdle at the weekend.

Dyer suffered a 2-1 defeat in her women’s 65kg match against Hergie Bacyadan, of the Philippines.

Accompanying the team in Indonesia is Garon Wilkinson, the head coach, and Jermal Woolridge, the assistant coach, who became Bermuda’s first medal winner at the championships when he claimed silver in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2013. Jermal was unable to compete at this year’s championships because of an injury.

The championships are held every two years and are organised by the International Wushu Federation.