The staging of the annual Martial Arts Championship by First Jamaica Zen-Do Kai Kan Karate was a 'success'.

Residents of Portmore enjoyed a full day of martial arts that demonstrated good discipline and healthy competition. His Worship the Mayor Keith Hinds declared the championship open after commending First Jamaica Zen-Do Kai Kan Karate for its achievements and contribution to Portmore.

The championship had over 250 entrants from over 14 martial arts schools across Jamaica and chief instructor of the First Jamaica ZenDo Kai Kan Canadian branch, Sensei Christopher Dennis.

There was excitement in all divisions, but the night ended with the adult black belts displaying lots of action. Scott Wright of Ningen Martial Arts Academy and a member of the Jamaica Combined martial arts team Busta Fighters, swept gold both in the forms and light/middleweight fighting.

In the heavyweight division, Marlon Campbell of First Jamaica ZenDo kept Kenneth Edwards of Ningen Martial Arts, a veteran Busta Fighter, busy, and really tested his skills in the ring. After two rounds, Edwards managed to beat a tired Campbell. Second place went to Campbell and third to Adisa Alexander of Jamaica Tae Kwon Do.

There was a double win in the Female Black Belt division by Sheckema Cunningham of Future Leaders Eagle Karate and member of the Jamaica Combined Martial Arts Team. In kata, Danielle Chang of Future Leaders Eagle Karate and also a member of the Jamaica Combined Martial Arts Team, took second place and Marrisa Jones of World ZenDo took third.

Cunningham displayed composure as an experienced fighter to win gold, while second place was taken by Janice Baker of Ningen Martial Arts and third spot went to Trishauna Grannum of Jamaica Tae Kwon Do.

An impressive show of skill was seen in the weapons division. Alden King of Ningen Martial Arts Academy used swords to display his versatility and won both Junior and Adult weapons division. Other weapons division places went to Jason Lawson, Leon Beckford, Brandon Kyle, Johnmar Young - Junior white to yellow belt.

Meanwhile, last Sunday the founders and black belts of First Jamaica Zen-Do Kai Kan Karate Organisation hosted their annual dinner and Awarded Renshi Karl Tai-Loy for his more than 33 years of hard work, dedication and contribution to martial arts in Jamaica and his profound impact on the lives of those who came under his tutelage.

Female black belt winner, Sheckema Cunningham (right), of Future Leaders Eagle Karate, kicks Janice Baker of Ningen Martial Arts.

Two black belt fighters battle.

Light/middleweight champ Scott Wright, a Busta figher, lands a kick on his opponent Oshane Murray of Jamaica Tae Kwon Do.

Danielle Chang of Future Leaders Eagle Karate kicks in her Kata presentation.

From left: First-place Scott Wright (Ningen Martial Arts Academy), second-place Oshane Murray (Jamaica Tae Kwon Do) and third-place Nicholas Dassard (Jamaica Tae Kwon Do) pose for a photograph after the male blackbelt light/middleweight division fighting.

Busta fighter and black belt heavyweight champ, Kenneth Edwards (left), attempts a 'high stepping' kick on Marlon Campbell.

From left: Heavyweight black belt men's champ, Kenneth Edwards, Female black belt winner Sheckema Cunningham, Renshi Karl Tai-Loy and male light/middleweight black belt champ Scott Wright pose for the camera.