Wrestling coach points to significant local talent

By Morissa Lindsay

Longstanding wrestling coach and administrator Jay Jordan believes that with adequate development and support Barbadian competitors have what it takes to be successful at both World and Olympic level.

A 40-year veteran of the sport,
Jordan has been working closely with the Rollins Alleyne-led Barbados Wrestling Association to get them ready and in shape for the 2022 Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. Barbados (BTMI) Open Beach Wrestling Tournament scheduled for October 25th at Brandon’s Beach.

During a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY, Jordan explained that President Alleyne has what he described as an interesting vision for development of the sport in Barbados and the wider Caribbean and therefore hopes to play his part to see that idea comes to fruition. In fact, Jordan said he has been contemplating moving to Barbados from Canada where he is currently based.

“I met Rollins Alleyne back about six months ago, here in Barbados. I have been involved in the sport in one way or another for nearly 40 years now. He has an interesting vision for development of the sport here in the Caribbean and I had been thinking about moving to Barbados for some time,” Jordan shared.

He added: “They (Barbadian wrestlers) are clearly a talented, hardworking and dedicated group of young athletes. They clearly have immense potential. With the
proper development and support, they have the ability to achieve the highest climb of
success at both world and Olympic level competition.”

However, if national wrestlers are to reach and maximize their fullest potential then more investment, he stated, will be required to give the athletes a fighting chance to compete amongst the world’s best.

“Wrestling is a tough sport that shapes extremely mentally tough athletes. It’s been said that to wrestle is to embody the most rare among human traits: the ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Your opponent is trying to physically mangle you for six minutes, you in turn are attempting to do the same to your opponent. In the end, you stand and shake his and her hand, regardless of the outcome. That experience builds character. This is why it’s important for kids. Furthermore, wrestling doesn’t require much beyond a mat, or sand, with respect to participation,” he told Barbados TODAY.

The Barbados Wrestling Association broke barriers on the world stage when 16-year-old Adrian Maynard became the first Barbadian to capture a bronze medal in the wrestling style of Greco Roman at the Pan American Games in Argentina. Maynard, coached by the successful Yaima Payne, also became the first Barbadian to participate at the 2022 World Championship in Rome, Italy.

The talented trio of Rebbeca Williams, Monica Maria Payne-Espinosa and Kodi Marshall all secured individual silver medals for their performances at the 2022 Spartan Wrestling National tournament in Jacksonville, United States of America.

Jordan noted that greater exposure is key to the development of national wrestlers. “Travel is key for combative sport development. Getting these young athletes to competitions and camps abroad, as well as developing competitions here in Barbados, are key elements for progress.Rollins has an excellent vision regarding this developmental pathway,” he said.

The founder of the Central Toronto Wrestling in Toronto, Jordan began wrestling in Toronto in the early 1980s, while in high school. He continued to wrestle while at University and began coaching in his early 20s. A respected son of wrestling, Jordan also became involved in the administrative side of the sport back in the late 1990s, serving then as Vice-President for the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association and more recently as President of the same organization and Board Member of Wrestling Canada Lutte (the governing body and national sport organization for wrestling in Canada).

Jordan will bring a team to compete in October at the BTMI Open Beach Wrestling Tournament and said he is looking forward to the event. He also praised the international governing body of Mixed Martial Arts for continuously spreading awareness globally and hoped to see more positive public relations being disseminated.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb