JJA President's End Of Year Message

Dear Judo Friends, Family, JJA Partners,

In 2018, I launched the Olympic Sport of Judo in Jamaica alongside RIO 2016 Olympian, Szandra Szogedi OLY. It has been the best launch of any new sport in the history of Jamaica, with over 400 people taking part in the sport since its launch in September 2018.

We ended the year on a high, with 2 Commonwealth gold medals and Jamaica’s first ever National Championship, which was a historic moment for the nation as well as for the sport, judo. The Championship was a remarkable event, with some exceptionally talented Judoka being awarded a place on Jamaica’s National Squad in their respective age group.

I want to thank and congratulate all the organisers, volunteer, sponsors, the International Judo Federation, the Jamaica Olympic Association, Fighting Films and all other parters for being a part of our vision and journey for 2018.

We will continue to build on the successes of 2018 and will continue to forge new partnerships as we look towards the CARIFTA Games, the 2019 Pan-American Games and the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

On behalf of the Jamaican Judo Association, I would like to wish you all a wonderful and productive 2019.

Kind Regards

Dwayne Barnett

President | Jamaican Judo Association