KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a breakthrough achievement for Jamaican sport, 4 trailblazing ladies fencers have certified for the 2026 Centenary Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Video games, set to be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
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Representing a nation not historically related to fencing, Caitlin Chang, Dr. Claudine Williams, Dr. Sharmella Martin, and Mya Spears delivered performances marked by resilience, ardour, and unity on the 2025 Central American and Caribbean Fencing Championships in Guatemala Metropolis, Guatemala.
For the primary time, Jamaica will subject opponents in each the feminine particular person and crew épée occasions, together with illustration within the feminine sabre class — signaling not solely historical past however a rising period for the game on the island.
Champions return, a teen emerges, and a dream lives on
Chang and Williams, veterans of the historic Barranquilla 2018 CAC Video games fencing crew, as soon as once more led the cost — this time alongside newcomer Dr. Sharmella Martin. Their profitable qualification was a mix of grit, expertise, and crew synergy.
In the meantime, 17-year-old Mya Spears surprised the sabre subject with a fearless and galvanizing show that secured her a ticket to Santo Domingo.
Chang, who claimed silver at Barranquilla, summed up the crew’s emotion greatest:
“I’m so proud to have been a part of this crew. I can’t fairly put into phrases precisely the way it feels, however it’s simply unbelievable. The crew got here collectively as one. I simply really feel very overwhelmed — in a great way — however it occurred. And it’s simply this: we’re persevering with to make historical past, and I’m simply so happy with the crew. All of us, the way in which all of us confirmed up collectively as one, and that, to me, is the way it feels.”
A comeback for the ages: Williams defies the percentages
Probably the most riveting moments of the qualifying occasion got here throughout a 45-44 come-from-behind victory towards Costa Rica, a match that may lengthy be remembered in regional fencing circles. The comeback was orchestrated by Chang, however it was deeply private for Dr. Claudine Williams, who returned to competitors after seven years away, throughout which she turned a mom and had solely three weeks of fencing preparation.
“Caitlin — her fireplace, her focus, her resilience — they carried us,” Williams mirrored. “Taking us from a 10-point deficit within the final 3 minutes towards Costa Rica to a forty five–44 win? Solely she may have pulled that off. And for me, stepping again on the strip jogged my memory who I’m. That irrespective of how lengthy it’s been or how a lot life has thrown at me, the battle and the hearth are nonetheless there.”
JOA applauds fencers, champions equality in sport
President of the Jamaica Olympic Affiliation (JOA) and Second Vice President of Centro Caribe Sports activities (CCS), which governs the Video games, was unequivocal in his reward for the crew and the broader significance of their qualification.
“JOA’s ‘sport for all and all for sport’ coverage has been embraced by our indomitable fencers, led by President of the Jamaica Fencing Federation (JFF) James McBean,” he mentioned. “He continues to encourage his fees with Olympic zeal and resilience. For us, no sport has ever been small, however all occupy an equal house on a big stage, on our progressive agenda.”
Echoing that sentiment, JOA Secretary Common and CEO Ryan Foster underscored the developmental strides being made.
“Isn’t this sport in progress? Isn’t this sport improvement in fact and truth — giving our youth enabling alternatives to pursue excellence, re-defining historical past, and demonstrating Jamaica’s prowess in sport?”
Historical past past the rostrum: Jamaica debuts males’s groups
Though the lads’s épée and sabre squads didn’t qualify, their participation marked one other first for Jamaican fencing. Competing towards vastly extra skilled opponents, the lads delivered spirited, commendable performances, demonstrating that Jamaica’s fencing program is on a strong path of progress.
President McBean summarized the ethos behind their efforts with a rallying cry that captures the guts of Jamaican fencing:
“We battle laborious, we rise collectively, and we elevate one another.”
