The Tribune

“Whoever wins this tournament will be the champion of the world,” said Tim Munnings, director of sports and Olympic medallist, as he delivered a motivating message to the eight young athletes who will be representing the Bahamas at the Judo World Junior Championships this week in Miami.

The team is comprised of national champions who have all won international matches and medals against high level opponents, and is coached by D’Arcy Rahming Jr, the only Bahamian to have fought in a previous Junior World Championships in 2007.

Rahming is a second degree black belt and a certified coach by Semmelweis University in Hungary. “The team has prepared using world-class standards and the best technology,” he said. “I am particularly delighted that three of the eight athletes are from Abaco and one other athlete was recruited out of the College of The Bahamas class.”

The athletes are Cynthia Rahming, 20, black belt, Ozeke Swain, 18, black belt, Andrew Munnings, 16, black belt, Elaina Cuffy, 15, black belt, Joshua Mcfall, 17, brown belt, Desmond Bootle, 16, brown belt, and Kentico Forbes, 19, purple belt.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this” said Swain, who was recently promoted to black belt along with Cuffy and Munnings. “I’ve worked very hard along with the rest of the team. Judo has really taken hold in Abaco and I would like to thank our current sponsors.”

Coach Rahming said: “The team still needs official uniforms, they each need four and the uniforms cost $190 each. So if anyone is willing to step forward please reach us at allstarbahamas@gmail.com. We are expecting victory.”