---

Bermuda's Kickboxers returned home this week, bringing with them three silver medals and two bronze - and two broken toes.

Garon Wilkinson, president of Bermuda's SanShou Association, reported that although he is "extremely proud" of his team's efforts, the event wasn't without it's hurdles.

In fact, he explained that the team's hardest hits had actually come before they had even stepped foot on the mat.

As well as being shocked to discover that there was a 'no shin pads' rule, after being previously told otherwise, they were also stunned by the thickness (or lack thereof) of the regulation gloves.

Wilkinson, explained their dismay: "We train with 14 or 16 ounce gloves, but the gloves used for the fight were only 10 ounces. You could pretty much feel your opponent's knuckles."

On top of thin gloves and lack of shin pads, the team also had a little hiccup before the official weigh-in, forcing some of the competitors to either hit the steam room several times, or eat heavily throughout the day to try and attain the required weight.

Despite all of his efforts Otero Smith still weighed in at 74kg, a kilo too light for his weight division, and was forced to drink 3 protein shakes, a half gallon of water, and a slice of pizza before making the required weight.

Smith was the last of the Bermuda squad to compete. Wilkinson noted that Smith's aggression and great strikes helped him to secure a first round decision.

However, during the second round, Brazil through a straight right that forced Smith to the canvas, and, consequently resulted in a win for Brazil.

Smith won a silver for his efforts.

Nathan Dill was the first to take the mat for Bermuda on Saturday and squared off with a Mexican opponent in the 65kg division, managing to snatch the first round decision with some great takedowns,

He lost in the second in what Wilkinson described as "highway robbery," which left Dill with the bronze.

Reuben Bean was next to fight and lost narrowly in the first round.

Bean turned the tables around in the second to win one back in Bermuda's favour. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite enough to secure victory, as his Canadian opponent was able to force Bean off the platform in the third round.

Wilkinson also took on a Canadian. His opponent started the match off with what Wilkinson describes as "extreme aggression" and managed to throw Wilkinson off the platform with a "fireman's carry" that resulted in Wilkinson breaking two of his toes.

Wilkinson said of the defeat, "When you lose in this sport, it always feels the same. It feels like you are stuck in a bubble, unable to do anything. It meant that a number of our techniques we were unable to execute, as our opponent pre-empted us and got in a counter attack." Wilkinson won a bronze.

60kg female fighter Talia Iris took the mat last Sunday morning against her considerably taller Brazilian opponent. The first round was fairly evenly matched with Brazil landing a few more takedowns and punch combinations although, in the end, she did not manage to secure a win, but she did garner a silver medal. Celia Tuzo performed in the Open Tai Chi Tournament and secured a second place in the Sun Style division after initially tying for first place.

Wilkinson said it was good effort for the new organization.

"The majority of our training was practicing our strikes," he said. "The competitors were mostly throwers and wrestlers and it was hard to recover mentally and physically from their attacks. Going forward we will implement more wrestling into our training regime as well increase our strength."[[In-content Ad]]

---