A Virgin Islands delegation of 40 people recently returned from the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Tournament in Akron, Ohio, where they captured 41 places in the Ja Goju Jitsu-Ryu martial arts team competition.
The team headed by Grandmaster Professor Louis A. Jackson was awarded medals for outstanding self-defense demonstration and five (5) black belts were awarded as well as grandmastership gold belts for winning first place in various categories.
"In total, 24 first-place trophies, 12 second-place trophies, and four third-place trophies were won by participants from St. Thomas and St. Croix," Professor Jackson said.
All of the team members performed with excellence according to Jackson. Top competitors such as Elkin George, Trisha Connor, Brandon Connor, Dean Chinnery, and Lateefa Barry rocked the crowd with their explosive power and kicks, Jackson added.
Senior Black Belt Elvis Pedro was also inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2001 in two categories; Master Instuctor of the Year, and Executive Orotection Award.
The Virgin Islands team proved itself to be the number one school at this prestigious world class event and as such has secured an invitation to next year's Hall of Fame event in Cincinatti, Ohio, Jackson noted.
