Bermuda’s athletes did the island proud after coming away from the Phoenix Wushu Nationals in Arizona with eight medals, including five golds

Kaelin Cox led the charge with two golds and three silvers competing in taolu, while Krista Dyer, Kallan Todd and Quennel Robinson all earned gold in sanda.

Bermuda Sanshou Association president and head coach Garon Wilkinson hailed the island’s outstanding display.

“Fantastic showing by the Bermuda team and overall we had some really good performances,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“I’m always very proud of our team and we prepared well and executed well.

“I can’t even count the number of individuals that came up to me, especially as head coach, and just congratulated us on the conduct of our team. From the way we wear our uniforms, our sportsmanship, our level of skill we show in competition, so overall extremely pleased.

“This is a very positive result for Bermuda and a stepping stone for us leading into the Pan American Championships.”

Cox made a brilliant start after securing four medals, including two golds, on the opening day of the event on Saturday.

The Bermudian taolu athlete had been expected to be in medal contention and earned his golds in the animal style and optional southern sword with the silvers arriving in the traditional southern and optional southern fist disciplines.

“I felt good and my body was ready,” Cox said.

“My head space was clear so I was going in with the goal to execute my moves strong, powerful and went and did that. I felt really confident and good in my performances.”

Cox added another silver medal to an already impressive haul competing in optional southern staff on Sunday

“One of the main things about taolu is you have to be in control of your movements, and I could tell right away that Kaelin was very much in control with his timing,” Wilkinson added.

“He wasn’t rushing and trying not to rush is very important. He executed a really flawless routine, very acrobatic and he received great applause from the crowd.”

Cox has now won six medals at the event after winning gold in the men’s traditional Nan Quan (southern fist) division on his debut at the championships in 2021. Along with Todd, he is one of two surviving members from the island’s team that also competed in the event for the first time that year.

Dyer won gold in the female 65kg division, Todd in the junior male 15-17 +90kg division and Quennel in the male 75kg division.

Also flying the island’s banner in Arizona were sanda athletes Enzi Johnston, Muryah Swan, Geraldine Sidders, Tristan Robinson and Jonathan Trott who also put in a good showing.

Serving on the Bermuda coaching staff were Cyril Whitter and Che Beane, while sanda judges Dwayne Cox and Nolette Webb were also among the local contingent.