Despite the fierce international levels of competition, Team Wright remains on top of their game and just won their second world class martial arts title (with the event held at Trelawney, Jamaica) since 2005.
Dr. Thomas, head coach of the U.S.A. team, stated, “Team Wright continues to achieve success by winning point karate sparring, Ju-Jutsu, self-defense and creative forms and weapons. They brought a national team of nine competitors and eight went home with gold medals.”
In addition, half the team was comprised of female champion competitors. Jackie Doria won two international titles.
The junior star of the World Freedom Games for the U.S.A. team was Kenneth C. Jackson Jr. III, who is a certified UWA second degree black belt, 12-years-old and an honor roll Student. He has been training with Grand Master Wright since age five.
Jackson became a world international grand champion after beating several opponents. He came up against great competitors from the Kung Fu Jamaican Team and other international kid champions. His third gold medal came with an intense five point match. The score was three to three when suddenly, Jackson jumped up and hit his opponent with an aerial round house kick, bringing the crowd of spectators to their feet. The kick to the headgear was two points, and therefore Jackson won his match, 5 to 3.
Other international world gold medal winners for Team Wright, New Jersey:
Sr. Division (50 years and over): Sensei Vito Doria, third degree black belt, placed second in sparring.
Men’s Division (40 to 49 years old): Sensei Shannon Friend, second degree black belt, placed first in sparring; Anthony Doria, first Kyu brown belt, placed first in Kata, first in weapons and second in sparring.
Women’s Division (20 to 30 years old): Aimee Montgomery Wilson, first degree black belt, placed first in Kata and sparring; Jacqueline Doria, fifth Kyu green belt, placed first in sparring in the Intermediate Division; Lisa Doria, sixth Kyu Blue Belt, placed first in sparring and Kata in the Novice Division.
Girls’ Division (11 to 13 years old): Alyssa Moran, navy blue belt, placed first in sparring, second in weapons and third in Kata in the Novice Division.
Jr. Division (11 to 13 years old): Kenneth C. Jackson Jr., second degree black belt, placed first in Kata, weapons and sparring, winning three gold medals and a Grand Champion Title.
Children’s Division (5 to 6 years old): Ian Wilson, white yellow stripe belt, placed first in sparring and second in Kata.
All students are members of the U.S. National Martial Arts Team N.J branch, under supervision of Head Coach and Personal Trainer Grand Master Dr. Austin Wright Sr. They train at the Main HQ’s of the After School Universal Warrior Martial Arts Black Belt Leadership Academy in Bayonne, also known as Universal Dojo, Inc.