[Trinidad & Tobago, Couva] On Saturday April 28th, 2018 Curacao wrote history in Trinidad & Tobago, by participating at an International Sambo Event for the first time in history. The Curacao athletes Jensley Rosalina and Robin Housen competed both in the 90kg class of Sports Sambo and they ended up with a shared 3rd place, before Trinidad & Tobago (silver) and gold medal winner Jamaica.
Curacao never participated in a sambo tournament before, as there is no sambo federation in Curacao. The FIAS (the official world Sambo Federation) is currently promoting and developing Sambo in the Caribbean and the Trinidad & Tobago Sambo Federation takes the lead in it. The Trinidad & Tobago Sambo Federation’ president Mr. Jason Fraser had spoken with Gideon Jonker multiple times about the development of Sambo in Curacao. This resulted in an invitation by Mr. Jason Fraser to participate at an international Sambo tournament on April 28th, 2018, organized by Ruff ‘n Tuff promotions in collaboration with FIAS.
Gideon Jonker was able to form a delegation of four people representing Curacao at the International Sambo Tournament. The delegation existed out two athletes Jensley Rosalina and Robin Housen, coach Cesar Gonzalez and Gideon Jonker as Sambo Curacao representative. The Curacao delegation wrote history by participating at this tournament and managed to bring 2 bronze medals back to Curacao. “Hopefully this experience will result in a Sambo movement in Curacao, including the incorporation of a national Sambo Federation recognized by the Curacao Government & FDOK.”, said Gideon Jonker.
Jensley Rosalina and Robin Housen also had to compete at the MMA event later that day, representing Curacao as Team PRO-FIT Curacao. The Sambo tournament took a lot of energy, but they both competed very well. Jensley Rosalina dominated his opponent Marc-Antoni Cumberbatch (TRI) and won by a unanimous decision, Robin Housen lost his match on points against Aaron Prince (TRI) who has a background as an Olympic & Commonwealth Boxer and proved to be more effective with his striking.