Richards among best at epic Seido Open tournament

JAMAICA Taekwon-Do's Subrina Williams warmed up for the July 7-9 United States Martial Arts Open by retaining her title and female grand champion crown at the recent Mighty Fist Seido Open at the University of Technology.

The International Sports Karate Association World Championship double gold medallist defeated Marissa Jones of Rising Sun Karate in the grand champion fight between female combined martial arts team members.

Chris Sinclair of New York Seido emerged heavyweight champion and had an epic battle with Paul Williams, his training partner, to lift the male grand champion title.

Both fighters were evenly matched, trading blows at lightning speed that had the judges often calling points for both big men at the same time.

GRUELLING ROUNDS

However, after two gruelling rounds, Sinclair managed to pull away from the more seasoned Williams and won the classic battle nine points to four.

The crowd was treated to a great spectacle of points fighting, as both men, veterans on the US circuit, traded blows, heavy punches and kicks. It was Sinclair's first grand championship after many years of trying.

The 40th annual Seido Karate tournament involved competitors from all the major martial schools - karate, tae kwon do and kick-boxing. The tournament attracted more than 300 participants and the large crowd was thoroughly entertained.

Chief instructor of Seido Karate, SeiShihan Tony Robinson, said the grand championship fight between Williams and Sinclair was the best he had seen in many years.

"It was a classic, showing that fighters can put on a great display of power fighting that is not only clean, but wonderful to watch," he said.