2002 World Championships

On May 18, 2002, an elimination Muay Thai tournament was held to determine the best fighters in the nation and to qualify participants for the United States WKA National Team that will travel to Marina de Massa, Italy August 20 - 25, 2002 for the WKA World Championships.

Over 70 countries have confirmed their support and the participation of their national teams in the WKA World Championships. The best of the best in the world will compete in one tournament to determine the true amateur world champions.

PRESS RELEASE
MASSA CARRARA, ITALY
AUGUST 23 - 25

*** 2 Gold Medals *** 1 Silver Medal *** 3 Bronze Medals ***
***CONGRATULATIONS***CONGRATULATIONS***CONGRATULATIONS***

The 2002 WKA USA National Muay Thai Kickboxing Team recently returned from another successful world championships. This, the 9th World Kickboxing Association's World Championships featured top amateurs from 72 countries around the world. It should be noted that, top European amateurs have had as many as 60 to 70 matches.

The US Team although heavily out weighed by experience, once again shocked everyone at the championships. The US Team won 2 GOLD Medals (Bertina Lee and Janice Johnson), 1 SILVER Medal (Shawn Yarborough), and 3 BRONZE Medals (Timmie Cartwright, Hassan Belkhatir, and Andrea Edwards). Brandon Vera lost a close decision in the early rounds to the European Champion. Everyone was impressed by the skill of the US fighters. We congratulate them for their performance.

Special thanks to US Team Coach Brian Crenshaw and Assistant Coach Buck Grant and all the US Team supporters.

Bertina Lee - Gold (-55 kg Women's Muay Thai)
Janice Johnson - Gold (-65 kg Women's Muay Thai)
Shawn Yarborough - Silver (-86 kg Men's Muay Thai)
Timmie Cartwright - Bronze (-54 kg Men's Muay Thai)
Hassan Belkhatir - Bronze (-81 kg Men's Muay Thai)
Andrea Edwards - Bronze (-60 kg Women's Kickboxing)

Results of the 2002 Nationals & Team Trials.

2002 WKA Worlds - Full Results.

For more information on the 2002 World Championships, please visit http://www.wkaitalia.com/en/index2.html.