Bermuda athletes stamped their authority on the way to an impressive medal haul at this year’s Pan American Kung Fu and Pan American Wushu Championships in Argentina.

The island’s 11-strong team came away from both competitions with twelve medals, including seven gold.

Kaelin Cox led the charge, earning a pair of gold medals in the 18-39 Other Southern Style Form and 2 Person Fighting Set and silver in the Long Weapon Spear at the Pan American Kung Fu Championships.

Jashae Allen-LaMontagne won gold in the 18-39 Other Northern Style Form, team coach and Bermuda Sanshou Association president Garon Wilkinson gold in the 40-59 2 Person Fighting Set and silver in the Flexible Weapon event, while Jecoa Burrows (40-59 Other Northern Style Form) and Talia Iris(40-59 Taiji Openhand) earned bronze medals at the same tournament.

Bermuda’s athletes also shone at the Pan American Wushu Championships, with Krista Dyer (female 75kg), Tristan Robinson (boys 9-11yrs 42kg) and Yara Robinson (9-11yrs 26kg) all securing gold and Jacob Goodwin (15-17 yrs male 48kg) silver in the sanda competition.

Wilkinson hailed the team’s enormous success at both championships.

“Very pleased with the Bermuda team overall. A number of gold medal performances and podium finishes I am very proud of,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We were very competitive in the traditional Kung Fu that the medal tally reflects with Kaelin Cox able to pull off the gold medal performance in the traditional Kung Fu.

“Sanda obviously very pleased. Krista Dyer showing her dominance in the region, defeating both Brazil and Mexico in 75 kg. A big class heavier than her usual weight class, a decision we made based on the competitiveness of the other divisions.

“Young Tristan Robinson also did very well in Modern Wushu Taolu. He defeated Argentina to also take a gold medal in sand da. His younger sister Yara who also competed in Wushu Taolu also did a fantastic job. Uncontested in her division but had an exhibition match against another young boy and fought extremely well.

“Jacob Goodwin who made his Pan American debut fought a very good match and ended up with a silver in the 15-17 48kg category.”

Geraldine Sidders and Michael Tristan-Burgess were the remaining members of Bermuda’s team who were accompanied by judges and course participants Oscar Lightbourne, Nolette Webb, Chaquita Simmons, Jason Dill, Adriano Lourenco da Silva, Burrows and Iris.

Burrows and da Silva also served as coaches along with Wilkinson in Argentina.