In a landmark moment for Jamaican sports, the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA) witnessed the coronation of its first-ever female national champion. Dr. Mishka Chung secured her historic victory by defeating Regina Stewart with a decisive 2-0 scoreline in the finals of the National Pool Checkers Championships, held at the Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St. Ann.
The tournament itself set significant participation records, becoming the second-largest gathering in the history of the JDA Nationals, only exceeded by the 2024 event. A particularly promising sign for the future of the sport was the unprecedented number of junior competitors, signaling a robust and growing interest in draughts among Jamaica’s younger generation. This surge is widely attributed to the JDA’s dedicated initiatives to promote the game and provide developmental opportunities for emerging talent.
Beyond Chung’s groundbreaking achievement, the championships featured other notable milestones. Shaveir Jadoo was named Youth Champion, underscoring the nation’s promising pipeline of strategic gaming talent. These successes collectively highlight both the rising popularity of draughts and the JDA’s effective commitment to fostering critical and strategic thinking skills through the game.
The Top Masters Division showcased intense competition, with International Grandmaster Wayne ‘Shines’ Reid capturing the top honor. He was followed by International Master Courtney ‘Carlos’ Thompson and Top Master Jason ‘School Boy’ Wisdom. Last year’s titleholder, Federation Master Jermaine ‘Wasp’ Hutchinson, put up a strong defense to finish in a respectable fourth place.
Looking ahead, the JDA has announced plans to host Jamaica’s inaugural Draughts 100 (10×10 International Draughts) national trials in March 2026. This event represents a major expansion for the sport within the country. The top performers from these trials will earn the right to represent Jamaica at the prestigious Pan American Championships scheduled for April 2026 in Paramaribo, Suriname.