Jamaica's 13-year-old black belt Tashauna Grannum (left) competes against New Zealand's Mellisa Timperley at the 15th International Taekwondo Federation World Championship in Quebec, Canada on Thursday.- Contributed

Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

QUEBEC, Canada:

JAMAICA bowed into competition at the 15th International Taekwondo Federation World Championship in Quebec, Canada on Thursday afternoon with 13-year-old first degree black belt Tashauna Grannum exiting first round patterns, bettered by New Zealand's Mellisa Timperley.

A year older than Grannum, the bigger and stronger Timperley found favour with the five umpires, which included Jamaica's Xavier Hoon.

Patterns are 24 pre-determined fights against imaginary opponents. Two participants have to do a pattern of their choice and one chosen by the judges.

Both Grannum and Timperley chose the same pattern before completing the judges' choice.

Timperley advanced but the final was contested by a pair of Argentinians wit Evelin getting the better of Lara Granada Lanus.

Grannum, who is contesting her first international tournament as a black belt, said she always knew it would have been a tough task.

"I've been to world tournaments before but this has been incomparable to the others because it is the best from each country that is put out there," she said.

"It was expected to be tough competition. It wasn't a walk through an my techniques were strong the other country came through in the end.

"I have learned that the best are here so you have to come with your best," she added.

Looking forward to combat

Grannum, who was in action again yesterday in junior women sparring, said she is looking forward to combat.

"I think that's the area I specialise in," she pointed out.

Her captain, Jason McKay, agreed.

"It's her first World Championship and she never really came as a patterns persons. She was really brought as a fighter.

"Based on her age and lack of experience at this stage, this is a development process for her, not a medal hunt," he said.

"The treasure hunt will come after the experience is gained," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Arthur Barrows, who was set to compete in the fourth to sixth degree men's patterns, withdrew from the event earlier in the morning.