By Patrick Lujan
Four in a row.
Eight-year-old Kai McDermott captured his fourth straight gold medal in the World Kids BJJ Tournament in San Bernadino, California on Saturday, but he wasn’t alone in the medal count for the young practitioners representing Guam.
Kai’s first cousins also medalled: Caitlin Yamasta lightweight (67 lbs) White Belt Bronze Medal; Kailee Castro light (53 lbs) Gray Belt Silver Medal; Kaila Castro featherweight Gray Belt (67 lbs) Bronze Medal.
McDermott’s gold was in the Medium Heavyweight (80 lbs) Gray Belt.
According to Tricia McDermott, Kai’s mother, the competition this year was tougher than the past three years and Kai says that “competitors are getting harder and harder.”
As for the mental game, the experience of being a three-time world champion paid off once again.
“It feels the same mentally because every tournament I go out there and have fun and do what I love,” Kai said.
“I would like to thank my coaches, my family, team and everyone who has supported me throughout the years,” said Kai, who craved for pizza after the tournament. “I will continue to train harder for my next tournament. I would like to thank my dad (brown belt Justin) for taking the time and train with me.”
Picture left to right are 1st cousins Kaila Castro, Kailee Castro, Caitlin Yamasta and Kai McDermott, (courtesy photo)
Also representing Guam and doing well was silver medalist 10-year-old Robert Artero Maley in the white belt division.
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