Barbados’ Kristian Griffith and Liam Russell face a tough test at the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts Pan American Championships, where they will compete in the Under-70kg division against fighters from 19 countries.
The five-member Barbadian delegation arrived in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday ahead of the championships, which run from Tuesday to September 15, with competition beginning Wednesday.
Griffith and Russell are accompanied by coaches Leonid Tkach and Odain Jackman and team manager Justin Maloney.
Tkach told Barbados TODAY from Bogotá that the Barbadians must be ready to perform at their best from their opening bouts, given the nature of the competition.
“It’s set up as an elimination tournament, so competitors fight and whoever wins goes to the next level, but whoever loses unfortunately doesn’t fight anymore,” he explained.
Despite the challenge, Tkach is still expecting the Barbadians to shine.
“They’re in the best shape they can be. Yeah, I’d say they’re in the best shape of their lives, honestly. The guys are locked in and they’re ready and excited for the action.
“The pair has been training constantly for the last few years and are based at Fight Club, in W Plaza. Liam has been training for six days a week and Christian trains four or five days a week as well,” Tkach revealed.
He said in the months leading up to the competition, training was geared specifically towards the championship, with some extra attention placed on making the competitors better and stronger. Tkach is cognisant of the fact that Barbadians have never competed in an event of this calibre.
“Even though our hopes are high, and we hope the guys will take some medals, we do know that even if they don’t take medals, they’re going to do very well.
“Addironally, it’s the first but certainly not the last, because we are competing and next year we’ll get bigger and stronger, regardless of what happens this time.”
(KH)
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