Garon Wilkinson, the president of the Bermuda Sanshou Association, has high expectations for the smallest team to represent Bermuda at the World Wushu Championships.

The Island’s medal hopefuls at the World Wushu Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, from November 11 to 18 are Sentwali Woolridge, Reyel Bowen and Krista Dyer.

Woolridge and Bowen are competing in the male 75 and 85kg divisions while Dyer is in the female 65kg category.

Wilkinson, who will accompany the trio as head coach, believes the Bermuda team members have what it takes to earn a podium place.

“It’s our smallest team that we’ve had represented in a World Championship since our first championship in 2007 in Beijing,” Wilkinson said. “But I think it’s a strong team and we are very confident going into the event.

“Sentwali has had a stellar year. He’s undefeated and has fought fighters from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico.

“He’s won two championships, the international Chinese Martial Arts Championships and also the Pan American Sanda Cup held last month in Mexico so we are really expecting big things from him.

“We think if everything goes well and we have the right draw he can definitely end up with a podium finish and hopefully qualify Bermuda a spot at the next year’s Sanda World Cup.”

Wilkinson is also looking forward to big things to come from Bowen who has been working on improving his all-round skills in the lead up to the championships.

“Reyel has also had a very good year, with two wins and two losses, all against international opposition,” Wilkinson said. “He’s improved with every fight.

“The last few weeks we’ve just been trying to fill the holes, just trying to really get him to be able to put his kicks and takedowns together with his boxing.

“He’s always been a very good boxer, we’re just trying to get him to be a little more well rounded. That’s what really separates the calibre of fighters; being able to adapt and if one thing is not working for you being able to move onto something else.”

Dyer continues to come on in leaps and bounds since taking up the sport 1½ years ago.

“Krista is still very new to the sport of sanshou,” Wilkinson said.

“She’s only been training for about a year and a half but is an exceptional athlete, with superior conditioning and very strong for her weight.

“We are really relying on her conditioning and strength and ability to listen to the corner and I think she can do well. It’s just a matter of her believing in herself and her ability.”