Garon Wilkinson, the Bermuda Sanshou Association president, has hailed the island’s successful debut at the WKA World Kickboxing and Karate World Championships.

Bermuda’s team of Kallan Todd, Che Durham and Krista Dyer punched and kicked well above their weight as they came away with an impressive six medals combined at Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park in Wales.

Todd led the charge with a pair of gold medals competing in the +95.1kg K1 division for 16 to 17-year-olds.

Durham secured a pair of silver medals fighting in the men’s 70kg K1 division and “Glory Rules” divisions and there was also success for Dyer, who also bagged two silver medals in the women’s 63.5kg K1 division and Unified Kickboxing “Glory Rules” categories.

“I am overwhelmed with pride and happiness,” Wilkinson told The Royal Gazette. “I came out here with zero expectations other than wanting our athletes to perform well.

“We’ve never competed in any WKA event. We have been a member for a couple of years and our first WKA event happened to be a world championships. Like I said I came out here with zero expectations but every fight and every round was amazing and I can’t ask for more.”

Wilkinson also tipped his hat to his fellow team staff and the many supporters who rallied behind the team.

“We had a great support team,” he added. “The fighters had very attentive and astute seconds in the corner with me.

“We had a great manager and folks who reside in the UK either through schooling or work that came out to support, so we had a really strong contingent and I am just really pleased.”

Todd earned his two gold medals with victory over New Zealand’s Te Au Pounamu in both of his finals. Durham secured his silver medals after losing to New Zealand’s Corban Mita in back-to-back finals.

Dyer claimed second spot on the podium after also losing in back-to-back finals to American Ellen Martin.

While small in numbers, Bermuda’s team packed a powerful punch.

“I am extremely pleased and we could not have had a stronger team,” Wilkinson said.

“Krista, Che and Kallan are certainly some of our more dedicated athletes and are amazingly fit. These guys put in a lot of work.

“We started out with a team of seven and then it dwindled down through injury, some through non commitment, some through work commitments, But we ended up with the strongest possible team that we could put forward.

“I am extremely pleased and this just reiterates the fact that our programme is solid. Whether it’s Sandou, boxing or kickboxing,. BSA’s programmes are sound and it’s based on hard training, a lot of research and time and effort.”