Champion grappler
Article by May 21, 2021
Yaima Payne became the first Barbadian representative to win gold at the United States of America Wrestling Masters Open Beach event which was contested on Thursday in Jacksonville, Florida.
Competing in the women’s 78kg, Payne who weighed in at 76 kg dominated her category which comprised three other challengers from Mexico and the United States of America (USA).
Demonstrating that she can take on the world’s best in beach wrestling, Payne won her opening match 3-2 on points against her opponent from the United States. In her second encounter, she emerged victorious 3-1 against Catherine Palmieri of Mexico.
National coach and longtime wrestler Yaima Payne is a few days away from creating history as the first female master to represent Barbados in beach wrestling when she competes at the 2021 United States of America Open Masters Beach Wrestling in Jacksonville, Florida.Prior to her departure this weekend for the major event, the trailblazing Payne, who is also a mat wrestler, said it was an honour to be given this opportunity.“I feel very proud to represent Barbados as the first female wrestler at these big international masters’ events in beach wrestling,” Payne told Barbados TODAY.
Wrestling gets a financial boost
Article by January 7, 2021
The Barbados Wrestling Association (BWA) has received funding from the Barbados Olympic Association through its capital grant program that is geared towards assisting national federations.
President of BWA Rollins Alleyne has welcomed the BDS$9, 000 received from the BOA’s capital grant and said it will go towards the purchasing of three mats. Also, some of the money will be pumped into BWA’s grassroots youth development program geared towards different age groups.
“The good thing about the mats is that they can be easily transported. We are really youth-driven. Local clubs such as Bajan Green Monkeys and Payne’s Wrestling Club are all expected to benefit from the usage of these mats,” Alleyne said.